With the cadaver in the supine position, find the sciatic nerve as it emerges from under the piriformis. Follow it inferiorly until it disappears under the long head of the biceps femoris.

Just medial to the sciatic nerve, find the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve. It has probably been cut and is somewhat short because of that.

Follow the biceps femoris inferiorly to its insertion on the head of the fibula. Running obliquely superior and medial from this attachment point, and deep to the sciatic nerve, find the short head of the biceps femoris.

Medial to the biceps femoris locate the semitendinosus. Deep to the semitendinosus, find the semimembranosus.

Now follow these muscles to their superior attachment, the ischial tuberosity. Notice how all of these muscles diverge from this prominent bony landmark.

Deep to the semimembranosus and medial to the short head of the biceps femoris, find the hamstring part of the adductor magnus. Can you see and follow the part of this muscle that originates from the ischial tuberosity? Can you once again follow it inferiorly to the adductor tubercle? Can you identify the adductor hiatus from this posterior side?

Now let's focus on the inferior end of the posterior thigh, the popliteal fossa. From medial to lateral, find the popliteal artery and vein that prior to passing through the adductor hiatus, you will remember, was the femoral artery and vein. You may be able to see the superior medial and lateral genicular arteries, which are primarily responsible for the collateral circulation around the knee. We may be able to see the inferior geniculars later.

Lateral to the popliteal vein, find the sciatic nerve splitting into a tibial nerve, which continues to run inferiorly with the popliteal artery and vein, and a laterally coursing common peroneal nerve. This nerve wraps superficially around the lateral aspect of the proximal fibula.

Notice how the semitendinosus inserts on the proximal medial tibia along with the gracilis and sartorius. The tripartite attachment of these three muscles is often called the pes anserine. In addition to their classic functions, these muscles probably assist the knee's anterior cruciate ligament with its responsibilities.