The hamstrings got their name from the way European butchers would hook through these muscles, behind the knee, to hang up legs of slaughtered pigs in their shops to sell, hence the “ham” and the “stringing”. ... The main action of this group of muscles is to extend the hip joint (reference 1).

Why back of thigh muscles are called hamstring?

“hamstrings” because their tendons on the rear of knee are accustomed to hang up hams (hip and thigh regions of critters viz., pigs.).

What is the hamstring muscle called?

There are three hamstring muscles: Semitendinosus. Semimembranosus. Biceps femoris.