Cow hind limb muscles are arranged into various regional, positional, and functional groups. Here, I will help you to identify the cow’s hind limb muscles with schematic diagrams combined with real muscle samples.
Quick answer: the cow hind limb muscles include the well-developed muscles of the hip, thigh, and extensor and flexor groups from the leg and pes.
These are the other most practically important muscular parts of the cow’s muscle anatomy. Thus, I will also go with the practical identification of the cow’s hind limb muscles with different identifying resources.
Cow hind limb muscles
Figure 1 shows the different segments of the cow’s hind limb present the bones and muscles. Here, the muscles of the hip and thigh regions are arranged in the lateral, medial, and cranial groups.
Again, the muscles of the leg and pes are arranged into dorsolateral and plantar groups. However, the dorsolateral are typically the extensor muscles and the plantar are the flexor muscles of the leg and pes.
To identify them perfectly, you may follow the strategies and techniques that are followed in muscle of the forelimb in cattle. Thus, I will help to identify the muscles from the following segments of the cow’s hind limb –
- Muscles of the cow’s hip and thigh (lateral, cranial, and medial groups), and
- Muscles of the leg and foot (pes) of a cow (dorsolateral and plantar group).
Identification of the lateral muscles of the cow’s hip and thigh
Figure 2 shows the schematic diagram/presentation of the lateral muscles of the cow’s hip and thigh segments of the hind limb.
Here, it presents the following lateral muscles –
- Tensor fascia latae muscle (cranial and craniolateral aspect),
- Gluteus medius muscle (fleshy and thick),
- Gluteus profundus muscle (fan-shaped),
- Gluteobiceps/ biceps femoris muscle (extensive, just lateral to the hip/pelvis),
- Semitendinosus muscle (long and fleshy), and
- Semimembranosus muscle (long and thick, caudal to the rump).
Now, you need to identify these six lateral muscles from the cow’s hip and thigh practically. Here, Figure 3 shows the six lateral muscles of the cow’s hip and thigh.
Cow’s tensor fascia latae muscle identification
First, let’s see the most superficial muscle that lies beneath the skin and fascia at the cranial and craniolateral aspect of the hip and thigh. It is a triangular muscle with its base below and apex above.
The name of this muscle is the tensor fascia latae and arises from the narrow aponeurotic part of the tuber coxae. Here, Figure 4 shows the cow’s tensor fascia latae muscle.
Gluteus muscle of the cow’s hip identification
There are three gluteus muscles in the domestic animal’s muscle anatomy: superficial, middle, and deep. But, in the cow, the cranial part of the superficial gluteus muscle is merged with the tensor fascia latae. Again, the caudal part of it also merged with the biceps femoris muscle.
Thus, the superficial gluteus as a separate muscle is absent in the cow. You will only find the middle gluteus (gluteus medius) and gluteus profundus muscles in the hind limb of a cow.
Now, let’s identify the gluteus medius and gluteus profundus from the cow’s hip region.
Well, let’s see the thick and fleshy muscle located between the coxal tuber of the cow’s pelvic bone and the greater trochanter of the cow’s femur bone. This muscle covers the surface of the ilium and the lateral wall of the cow’s pelvis.
Again, Figure 5 shows that its cranial part is covered by the tensor fascia latae and caudal part by the biceps femoris muscle.
It is the gluteus medius muscle of the cow through which the cranial gluteal and ischiatic nerve passes.
Now, after removing the cow’s gluteus medius muscle, you will find a thinner and smaller muscle under it. It is an irregular quadrilateral and its fiber courses coaudoventrally spreading in fan shaped manner directly over the hip joint.
It is the gluteus profundus (deep gluteus) muscle of the cow’s hip/pelvic region.
Cow’s biceps femoris muscle identification (gluteobiceps)
Figure 6 shows the vast, expansive, and flat muscles located on the lateral to cow’s hip and thigh.
It extends from the spine of the sacrum bone to the proximal end of the leg. This muscle covers the gluteus medius and appears as a quadrilateral in form.
It is the biceps femoris muscle of the cow’s hip and thigh. This muscle is thick in its middle and thinner in its proximal part.
However, the superficial gluteus muscle is merged with the biceps muscle, thus it is also named the gluteobiceps muscle.
Identification of the cow’s semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles
Figure 7 shows a long fleshy muscle (tendon-like) that extends from the tuber ischii to the tibia along the caudo-lateral aspect of the thigh.
This muscle lies between the cranial biceps femoris and the caudal muscle of the thigh. It is known as the semitendinosus muscle of the cow’s thigh.
The above figure 7 also shows a long, thick, fleshy muscle that lies deeply on the caudolateral aspect of the cow’s thigh. It extends from the tuber ischii, passes obliquely ventral cranial to the middle aspect of the proximal third of the tibia bone.
Here, this is the semimembranous muscle, which is the most caudolateral muscle of the cow’s thigh. It is dorsoventrally elongated and present expansion on its proximal end and constriction on its middle.
Cranial muscles of the cow’s hip and thigh identification
Figure 8 shows the schematic diagram/presentation of the cranial muscles of the hip and thigh segments of the cow’s hind limb. It especially presents the different parts of the cow’s quadriceps muscle.
Here, you will find the four different parts of the cow’s quadriceps femoris muscle –
- First, the vastus lateralis part,
- Second, the straight part of femoris (Getty, 1972),
- Third, the vastus medialis part, and
- Fourth, the vastus intermedius part,
Though they are considered the cranial muscles of the thigh, they also cover the lateral and medial aspects of the cow’s femur. However, all four part terminates on the cow patella at the stifle joint.
Now, I will help to identify these different parts of the cow’s quadriceps femoris muscles with the real figure. But to identify these four parts, you need to remove the biceps femoris muscle first.
Vastus lateralis muscle of a cow
Figure 9 shows all four parts of the cow’s quadriceps femoris muscles.
First, let’s see the most thicker and largest part of the quadriceps femoris muscle. This part is located on the lateral to the greater trochanter and caudolateral face of the shaft of the femur bone. It is wide in the middle and narrow at its proximal and distal extremities.
So, the most lateral part of the cow’s quadriceps femoris muscle is the vastus lateralis muscle.
Vastus medius muscle of a cow
The above figure (Figure 9) also shows a thinner and narrower muscle than the vastus lateralis. It lies on the medial surface of the shaft of the femur bone and extends from the neck to the patella.
This muscle forms a deep group with the vastus lateralis. Within this groove, the straight part of the cow’s quadriceps femoris lies.
So, this is the vastus medialis part of the cow’s quadriceps femoris muscle.
The straight part of the cow’s quadriceps muscle
After removing the most lateral part (vastus lateralis), you will find a straight part of the quadriceps. This part actually lies between the groove between the vastus lateralis and medialis.
It is the straight part of the muscle and extends from the cotyloid angle of the ilium to the patella. This muscle is nearly rounded in form and becomes thick in the middle and narrow on its extremities.
Vastus intermedius muscle of a cow
The above figure 9 also shows another muscle that lies deeply on the cranial surface of the femur’s shaft. It is completely covered by the other three parts of the cow’s quadriceps femoris muscle.
It possesses two divisions and can be clearly separated from the other three muscles. This muscle also shows the narrower part on its proximal end, thick in the middle, and flattened in its distal end.
So, this is the vastus intermedius muscle of the cow’s thigh.
Identification of the medial muscles of cow’s hip and thigh
The muscles of the medial aspect of the cow’s hip and thigh are arranged in three layers –
- Superficial layer: it consists of the sartorius and gracilis muscles.
- Middle layer: it consists of pectineus, adductor, and semimembranosus muscles.
- Deep layer: it consists of quadratus, obturator externus, obturator internus, and gemellus.
I will also show you these muscles from the medial aspect of the cow’s hip and thigh, but in a different way. Here, Figure 10 shows the schematic diagram of the medial muscles of the cow’s hip and thigh from the three layers.
The three layers of medial muscle are arranged serially from the medial aspect of the cow’s thigh. Thus, the first layer of muscle just on the medial aspect is the superficial layer.
However, after removing the lateral muscles of the cow’s hip and thigh, you will easily find the deep layer of the medial muscle. So, you may identify the medial muscles of the thigh from the medial aspect, or from the lateral aspect after removing the lateral muscles of the thigh.
For me, I love to identify the deep layer muscle first. I will identify these from the lateral aspect of the hip after removing the major lateral muscles of the hip and thigh.
Deep layer muscles of the medial aspect of cow’s hip
Figure 11 shows a thin triangular muscle in the cow’s hip after removing the gluteus and biceps femoris muscles. This muscle extends from the ventro-lateral aspect of the cow’s ischium to the trochanteric fossa of the femur bone.
You will see a wide fleshy origin in a fan-like manner of this muscle. It courses in a cranioventral direction that converges with the obturator externus muscle.
So, this is the gemellus (gemelli) muscle of the cow’s hip region.
Again, the figure also shows a small, short fleshy muscle located at the caudal aspect of the ischium and femur. It is also placed just ventral to the gemellus muscle.
This muscle extends from the ventral aspect of the ischium, passes obliquely and reaches the trochanteric minor. It is the quadratus femoris muscle of the cow’s hip.
However, the figure shows a short, thick, flat fan-shaped muscle that lies on the ventral surface of the pubis and ischium. It extends from the ventral surface of the ischium and pubis to the trochanteric fossa of the femur bone.
So, this is the obturator externus muscle of the cow’s hip.
Finally, the figure also shows a thin fan-shaped muscle lying on the floor of the pelvic cavity. Its tendon passes through the obturator foramen of the pelvic bone. Then it unites with the tendon of the obturator externus muscle.
Thus, this is the obturator internus muscle of the cow’s hip.
Middle layer muscles of the medial aspect of the cow’s hip
Figure 12 shows three middle-layer muscles from the cow’s thigh after removing the biceps femoris muscle.
Though I have already identified the semimembranosus muscle previously with the lateral muscle of the cow’s hip and thigh. So, let’s identify the pectineus and adductor muscles from the middle layer muscles of the medial aspect of the thigh.
Here, the above figure 12 shows the large, thick conical muscle that extends obliquely from the pubis to the tibia bone. This muscle is placed cranial to the adductor muscle and behind the vastus medialis muscle.
It is the pectineus muscle of the cow’s thigh.
Finally, the figure also shows a thick and fleshy triangular muscle. It is located between the pectineus and semimembranosus muscles.
This muscle is relatively extensive in its origin and insertion. It extends from the ventral surface of the pubis and ischium to the medial aspect of the thigh.
This muscle is known as the adductor muscle of the cow’s thigh.
Superficial layer muscles of the medial aspect of the cow’s hip
Figure 13 shows the two superficial layer muscles of the medial aspect of the cow’s hip and thigh.
In the above figure, you will find a large, broad, thin, flat, and quadrilateral muscle. This muscle lies superficially on the caudal part of the medial aspect of the cow’s thigh.
It has an extensive attachment to the pelvic area and a wide insertion to the patella. Superficially, this muscle is related to the skin, whereas medially with the semimembranosus, semitendinosus, adductor, and pectineus muscles.
So, it is the gracilis muscle of the cow’s thigh. This muscle is the most medial of the thigh, but is considered a superficial muscle.
However, the above figure 13 also shows a long, thin, and flat strap-type muscle. It is just placed cranial to the gracilis muscle.
Again, this muscle extends obliquely from the sublumbar region to the pelvic cavity. It is covered superficially by the skin and subcutaneous muscle.
So, this is the sartorius muscle of the cow’s thigh region.
Muscles of the leg and foot (pes) of a cow hind limb
The leg and foot/pes of the cow’s hind limb contains similar type of extensor and flexor muscles like its forelimb. Figure 14 shows the schematic diagrams of extensor and flexor groups from the cow hind limb muscles.
Here, I have shown all the extensor and flexor groups serially together from cranial to caudal view. But, you may also separate them as dorsolateral (craniolateral) and lateroplantar groups.
Here, the dorsolateral group = the extensor group muscle, and the plantar group = the flexor group muscle.
The above schematic diagram shows the following extensor group muscles –
- First, the tibialis cranialis muscle (the most cranial and thin),
- Second, the fibularis tertius/peroneus muscle,
- Third, the flexor digitorum longus muscle,
- Fourth, the fibularis longus muscle, and
- Fifth, extensor digitorum lateralis,
However, it also presents the following plantar/flexor muscles of the cow’s leg and pes –
- Sixth, the gastrocnemius muscle (having two heads: lateral and medial),
- Seventh, the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle,
- Eight, the flexor digitorum profundus muscle,
These (sixth to eight) are the most important plantar group of muscles from the cow’s leg and pes. But, you will also find the soleus and popliteus muscles in the leg and the pes region of the cow’s hind limb.
All the extensor and flexor muscles of the cow’s leg are arranged serially, as shown in the schematic diagram. So, you will quickly identify these muscles from the laboratory sample as shown in the diagram.
Identification of extensor muscles from the cow’s leg and the pes
Figure 15 shows all the extensor muscles from the cow’s leg and pes regions. I have identified all extensor muscles from the sample serially, as shown on the previous schematic diagram.
Here, the figure presents a deep, thin, and triangular muscle. It is located on the craniolateral aspect of the cow’s tibia.
This muscle possesses two heads that arise from the proximal end of the lateral surface of the tibia. It is the tibialis cranialis muscle of the cow’s leg.
The figure also presents a large, fusiform superficial muscle. It extends from the craniomedial aspect of the thigh to the tarsal joint. This muscle is known as the fibularis tertius (peroneus) muscle.
The above figure shows a large and long muscle with a flattened and fusiform body. It lies on the craniolateral aspect of the leg bone. This is the extensor digitorum longus muscle of the cow’s leg and pes.
A long, thin, triangular muscle is also present superficially on the lateral surface of the leg (Figure 15). It is known as the fibularis longus/peroneus longus muscle of the cow’s leg and pes.
Finally, the figure presents a long muscle on the lateral aspect of the cow’s leg. This muscle is located between the extensor and flexor muscle groups.
It is a long, thin strip of muscle of the leg that extends from the lateral condyle of the tibia to the digits. This muscle is called the extensor digitorum lateralis muscle of the cow’s leg and pes.
However, you will also find a small extensor digitorum brevis muscle in the extensor group. But, this muscle is not important practically and may be absent in many cows.
Flexor muscle from the cow’s leg and the pes identification
Figure 16 presents all the plantar/flexor muscles from the cow’s leg and pes. Here, the gastrocnemius, flexor digitorum superficialis, and flexor digitorum profundus are practically important.
A large, fleshy muscle with two heads (lateral and medial) is shown in the previous figure (Figure 16). Both the lateral and medial heads of this muscle are wider, flattened in the middle and narrow at both extremities.
Together, these heads form the major part of the plantar part of the cow’s leg. This is the gastrocnemius muscle of the cow’s leg.
However, the figure presents a well-developed fleshy muscle between the two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle. They extend from the distal part of the cow’s femur to the digits.
It is known as the flexor figitorum superficialis muscle of the cow’s leg.
A complex muscle consists of three heads in the leg (shown in Figure 16). These three heads of this muscle have separate origins and lie caudolateral to the tibia bone.
This is the flexor digitorum profundus muscle of the cow’s leg and pes.
There is also a thin, long, ribbon-like muscle present in the cow’s leg. It lies immediately under the deep fascia of the leg and the deep digital flexor muscle. This muscle is known as the soleus muscle of the cow.
Finally, a fleshy, thick and triangular muscle is also found in the cow’s leg. It is located at the distal part of the caudal aspect of the stifle joint of the cow’s hind limb.
It is called the popliteus muscle of the cow’s hind limb.
FAQ’s on cow’s hind limb muscles
Well, the biceps femoris/gluteobiceps is the largest muscle of the cow’s hind limb. It has an extensive appearance compared to other muscles of the cow’s hind limb. Again, it arises from the different parts of the pelvic bone and inserts on the patella.
Yes, the cow has both fleshy thick gluteus medius and fan-shaped gluteus profundus compared to other ruminants like the goat and sheep. But the fan-shaped gluteus profundus is typically absent in the goat and sheep.
Yes, the cow’s gastrocnemius muscle forms the calcaneus tendon with semitendinosus, soleus, and biceps femoris muscles.
Conclusion
So, cow hind limb muscles are arranged in different segments and possess special identifying features. Here, the lateral aspect of the cow’s hip and thigh presents practically important biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus muscles.
Again, the gracilis and gemellus muscles from the medial aspect of the hip possess the most unique features. Finally, the leg and pes segments of the cow’s hind limb have both extensor and flexor muscles.
References
- Ghosh, R. K.: Primary veterinary anatomy, 2nd Edn.Current Books International, Kolkata.
- Rowen D. Frandson, W. Lee Wilke, and A. Dee: Anatomy and physiology of farm animals, 4th edn.Wiley-Blackwell, USA.
- Addis et al., Prediction of the Hind-Leg Muscles Weight of Yearling Dairy-Beef. Animals, 2020, 10(4), 651.
- Getty, R. SGs Anatomy of the domestic animals, 5th Ed, W. B. Sauynders and Co., Philadelphia (USA).
- Nickel, R., Schummer, A. and Seiferle, E.: The anatomy of domestic animals, 1st Edn. Verlag Paul Parey, Berlin.
