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# Biceps femoris tendon (short head)

The [short head of biceps femoris](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/short-head-of-biceps-femoris/) joins the main outer hamstring tendon above the knee, so both reach the [fibula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fibula/) together.

Official name: Tendon of biceps femoris

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## What it is

The short head of the biceps femoris joining the outer hamstring tendon.

## What it does

Bends the knee and turns the shin outward; supports the outer knee.

## Key points

- Not a separate cord: short-head fibres join the deep side of the long-head tendon above the knee, so distal injuries are injuries of the common biceps femoris tendon
- Detailed dissections describe extra arms of the short head to the posterolateral capsule and the lateral [tibia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tibia/), part of the posterolateral corner (texts differ in detail)

## Key facts

**Attaches**
Short-head fibres from the lateral lip of the linea aspera join the deep surface of the long-head tendon, ending together on the fibular head

**Function**
Knee flexion and lateral rotation whatever the hip position (the short head does not cross the hip); the only hamstring part supplied by the common fibular division

**Tight in**
Knee extension with the leg medially rotated

## Relations

**Superficial**
[Biceps femoris tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-biceps-femoris/) of the long head

**Deep**
Posterolateral knee [joint capsule](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-capsule-of-knee-joint/) and the [lateral head of gastrocnemius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-head-of-gastrocnemius/)

**Medial**
[Common fibular nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/common-fibular-nerve/)

## How to find it

Not felt separately: its fibres form the deep part of the lateral hamstring cord just above the knee.

## Examination

- Needle EMG of the short head: abnormal in [sciatic nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sciatic-nerve/) or fibular-division lesions in the thigh, but normal in a common fibular nerve palsy at the fibular neck, which helps localise a foot drop

## On imaging

Not seen on its own on radiographs. On axial and coronal MRI its fibres merge with the deep side of the long-head tendon above the knee, as part of the posterolateral corner. In a posterolateral corner injury, MRI shows a torn or detached common biceps tendon; on an AP knee radiograph, a small flake pulled off the fibular head (arcuate sign) points to this injury.

## Common problems

- Strains, tendinitis, and less often a pull-off injury at the fibula with severe knee injuries.

## How it is diagnosed

Physical exam; ultrasound or MRI if needed.

## Treatment

- Rest and physical therapy; surgical repair for a pulled-off tendon.

## Clinical notes

- The short head does not cross the hip, so it is spared when the hamstring origin is torn from the ischial tuberosity
- When the common biceps tendon is avulsed from the fibular head in a posterolateral corner injury, the short-head arms are repaired together with the long head and the LCL

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which nerve division supplies the short head of biceps femoris?

The common fibular division; it is the only hamstring part supplied by it.

## Why does the short head of biceps femoris flex the knee whatever the hip position?

It does not cross the hip: it arises from the lateral lip of the linea aspera.

## How does needle EMG of the short head of biceps femoris help localise a foot drop?

It is abnormal in sciatic or fibular-division lesions in the thigh, but normal in a common fibular nerve palsy at the fibular neck.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
caput breve musculi bicipitis femoris TA2 2640

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Tendón del bíceps femoral (porción corta) DeCS D013710

**English (TA2)**
Tendon of biceps femoris

## Related

- [Biceps femoris (short head)](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/short-head-of-biceps-femoris/)
- [Femur](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femur/)
- [Fibula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fibula/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=14088); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Hamstring Muscle](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546688/); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Posterior Thigh Muscles](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542215/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-biceps-femoris-lower-limb/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-biceps-femoris-lower-limb/