College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Which muscle attaches to the pes anserine?

1. Rectus femoris

2. Biceps femoris

3. Semimembranosus

4. Semitendinosus

The correct answer is: Semitendinosus

The semitendinosus muscle is one of the three muscles that make up the hamstrings, and it plays a significant role in the function of the leg. The pes anserine, which translates to "goose's foot" in Latin, is a conjoined tendon located on the medial side of the tibia. It serves as an attachment point for three muscles: the semitendinosus, gracilis, and sartorius. The semitendinosus is particularly important because it not only assists in flexing the knee but also aids in the internal rotation of the thigh when the knee is flexed. Its attachment at the pes anserine contributes to the stability of the knee joint during movement. Considering the anatomy, the other muscles listed do not attach to the pes anserine. The rectus femoris is a quadriceps muscle that primarily functions in extending the knee. The biceps femoris, also a part of the hamstring group, attaches to the head of the fibula rather than the pes anserine. The semimembranosus, another hamstring muscle, attaches medially to the tibia but does so at a different site than the pes anserine. Therefore, the semit