Expansion
True hamstrings cross both the hip and knee and are mainly supplied by the tibial division of the sciatic nerve
Mnemonic
“Two semis and a biceps”, all from the ischial tuberosity and all supplied by the tibial division of the sciatic nerve:
- S - Semimembranosus, medial
- S - Semitendinosus, medial
- B - Biceps femoris, lateral
The short head of biceps femoris is the exception to everything: it arises from the linea aspera rather than the ischial tuberosity, it crosses only one joint, and it is supplied by the common fibular division. It is therefore not a true hamstring.
Learning note
The true hamstrings generally cross both the hip and knee and are supplied by the tibial division of the sciatic nerve.