Overview
This lecture provides a concise overview of the key muscles surrounding the hip joint, their functions, origins and insertions, and useful memory aids to remember them.
Hip Flexor Muscles
- Four main hip flexors: psoas major, iliacus, rectus femoris, and sartorius.
- Memory aid: "Play It Like Ronaldo Sue" (Psoas, Iliacus, Rectus femoris, Sartorius).
- Many hip flexors have secondary roles by crossing multiple joints.
- Psoas major also flexes the lumbar spine.
- Rectus femoris is also a knee extensor.
- Sartorius assists in both hip and knee flexion.
Hip Extensor Muscles
- Primary hip extensors: gluteus maximus, hamstrings (semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris), and adductor magnus.
- Gluteus maximus is the main muscle used in hip extension exercises.
- Hamstrings originate at the ischial tuberosity and also flex the knee.
- Adductor magnus contributes significantly to hip extension.
Hip Lateral Rotators
- Key lateral rotators: superior and inferior gemelli, obturator internus, quadratus femoris, piriformis, and obturator externus.
- Obturator internus originates from the internal side, externus from the external side of the obturator foramen.
- Piriformis originates from the sacrum, unlike the others from the pelvis.
- Strengthening piriformis can help stabilize the hip due to its unique sacral origin.
Hip Abductor Muscles
- Superior part of gluteus maximus assists in abduction.
- Main abductors: gluteus minimus, gluteus medius, and tensor fasciae latae.
- Gluteus medius and minimus insert at the greater trochanter of the femur.
- Tensor fasciae latae is connected to the iliotibial band (ITB), which is connective tissue, not muscle.
- Gluteus medius and minimus are implicated in lateral hip pain due to tendonopathy.
Hip Adductor Muscles
- Main adductors: pectineus, adductor brevis, adductor longus, gracilis, and adductor magnus.
- Memory aid: "Three Ducks Pecking Grass" (Adductor longus, brevis, magnus; Pectineus; Gracilis).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Hip flexor — muscle that reduces the angle between the femur and the pelvis.
- Hip extensor — muscle that increases the angle between the femur and the pelvis.
- Abductor — muscle that moves the leg away from the midline.
- Adductor — muscle that moves the leg toward the midline.
- Lateral rotator — muscle that rotates the femur outward from the body's midline.
- Iliotibial band (ITB) — thick connective tissue running along the outside of the thigh.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review memory aids for hip muscle groups.
- Study 3D anatomy models to visualize muscle origins and insertions.
- Read further on gluteal tendonopathy and relevant clinical implications.