Muscles of the Hip and Thigh

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The strap-like muscle A is the cranial belly of the sartorius muscle. The caudal belly is on the medial aspect of the limb (we will see that later). The adjacent triangular-shaped muscle (B) is the tensor fasciae lata muscle, which (as the name states) tenses the fasciae lata (C). Both the cranial belly of the sartorius muscle and the tensor fasciae lata muscle flex the hip and extend the stifle.  

Dorsal to the tensor fasciae lata muscle is the middle gluteal muscle (D). It's caudal portion is covered by the superficial gluteal muscle (E). The superficial gluteal muscle is equivilent to the gluteus maximus of man. Most of the caudolateral portion of the thigh consists of the biceps femoris muscle (F). We can also see a portion of the semitendinosis muscle (G).

What is the action and innervation of these muscles?

The middle and superficial gluteal muscles are innervated by the cranial and caudal gluteal nerves, respectively, and both of these muscles act to abduct and extend the hip.

The biceps femoris and semitendinosis muscles are innervated by the sciatic nerve. Both of these muscles extend the hip and flex the stifle. The biceps femoris muscle may also extend the stifle (cranial portion of muscle) or the hock (caudal portion).