Overview
In cattle it arises only from the ischiatic tuberosity. It runs down the caudal border of the thigh and ends on the medial side of the leg; a tarsal tendon joins it to the common calcanean tendon. In the carcass it is the eye of round.
Origin
Ischiatic tuberosity (tuber ischiadicum).
Insertion
Medial surface of the proximal tibia (tibial crest) and, through the tarsal tendon, the calcaneal tuber.
Action
Extends the hip, flexes the stifle and helps extend the tarsus.
Innervation
Sciatic nerve (n. ischiadicus).
Clinical relevance
- It is one of the valuable cuts of the hindquarter: beef quality guidelines call for no injections in this region and for injecting in the neck instead.
- In downer cows, prolonged compression of the caudal thigh muscles causes ischaemic myopathy and can injure the sciatic nerve.