Hip Joint Muscles: Flexion, Extension, Abduction, Adduction

Posted on Feb 18, 2025 in Physical Education

Hip Flexion

Muscles: Pectineus, iliopsoas, sartorius, tensor fascia lata.

Pectineus

  • Origin: Pubic branch of the ileum
  • Insertion: Femur
  • Function: Flexion, abduction, and external rotation

Iliopsoas

  • Origin: Psoas – 12th thoracic vertebra to the 5th lumbar vertebra; Iliac fossa – iliacus
  • Insertion: Lesser trochanter
  • Function:
    • With trunk fixed and legs mobile: flexion, adduction, and external rotation
    • With legs and trunk fixed:
      • Pelvic anteversion
      • Trunk flexion

Sartorius

  • Origin: Iliac spine
  • Insertion: Medial aspect of the internal tibial plateau
  • Function:
    • Hip flexion, abduction, and external rotation
    • Knee flexor and internal rotator

Tensor Fascia Lata

  • Origin: Outer edge of the iliac spine
  • Insertion: Lateral tibial plateau
  • Function:
    • Hip flexor and abductor
    • Pelvic stabilizer

Hip Extension

Muscles: Biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, semimembranosus, semitendinosus

Biceps Femoris

  • Origin:
    • Short head: Distal third of the linea aspera
    • Long head: Ischial tuberosity
  • Insertion: Head of the fibula
  • Function:
    • Short head: Flexor and external rotator of the knee
    • Long head: Hip extensor, flexor, and external rotator of the knee

Gluteus Maximus

  • Origin: External iliac fossa, posterior sacrum and coccyx, sacroiliac ligaments, deep fibers originate in the fascia separating the gluteus medius
  • Insertion: Linea aspera; many fibers end in the fascia lata
  • Function:
    • Upper fibers: Abductor
    • Lower fibers: Adductor
    • All fibers: Extensor and external rotator

Semimembranosus

  • Origin: Ischial tuberosity
  • Insertion: Medial aspect of the tibial plateau
  • Function: Hip extensor, knee flexor, and internal rotator of the knee

Semitendinosus

  • Origin: Ischial tuberosity
  • Insertion: Medial aspect of the tibia, near the gracilis and sartorius insertions
  • Function: Hip extensor, knee flexor, and internal rotator of the knee

Hip Abduction

Muscles: Gluteus medius, gluteus minimus

Gluteus Medius

  • Origin: Middle of the external iliac fossa and iliac crest
  • Function:
    • With feet fixed: Stabilizing contraction of the pelvis
    • Tonic form: Maintaining balance of the pelvis
    • Concentric: Opposite hip rises
    • Eccentric: Acts on the same side of the hip

Gluteus Minimus

  • Origin: Anterior aspect of the external iliac fossa
  • Insertion: Tip of the greater trochanter
  • Function: Flexor and internal rotator (most important); inferior fibers are extensors and external rotators

Abductors dominate the action when balancing the pelvis.

Hip Adduction

Muscles: Quadratus femoris, obturator externus, obturator internus

Quadratus Femoris

  • Origin: Ischiopubic ramus
  • Insertion: Posterior aspect of the greater trochanter
  • Function: Adductor and external rotator of the hip

Obturator Externus

  • Origin: Outer rim of the obturator foramen
  • Insertion: Tip of the greater trochanter
  • Function: External rotator; reinforces the joint capsule

Obturator Internus

  • Origin: Inner rim of the obturator foramen
  • Insertion: Tip of the greater trochanter
  • Function: External rotator of the hip