Hip flexors

Hip Flexors

File:Hip flexors.png

Illustration of the hip flexors

The Hip flexors are a group of muscles that act to flex the femur (thigh bone) onto the lumbo-pelvic complex, i.e., pull the knee upward. They play a crucial role in maintaining the mobility and stability of your lower body.

Anatomy

The hip flexors are made up of three different muscles. The Iliopsoas, the Sartorius and the Rectus Femoris. Each muscle functions to flex the hip joint. However, each muscle also has additional roles.

Iliopsoas

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Illustration of the Iliopsoas

The Iliopsoas is the strongest of the hip flexors. It is composed of two muscles, the Psoas Major and the Iliacus. These muscles are often considered together because they share a common insertion on the femur.

Sartorius

Illustration of the Sartorius

The Sartorius is the longest muscle in the human body. It is a long, thin, band-like muscle found in the thigh. The Sartorius functions as an important flexor and rotator of the thigh at the hip joint.

Rectus Femoris

File:Rectus Femoris.png

Illustration of the Rectus Femoris

The Rectus Femoris is one of the four Quadriceps muscles. It is located in the middle of the front of the thigh. The Rectus Femoris is a powerful hip flexor, but it is unique in that it is also a knee extensor.

Function

The primary function of the hip flexors is to lift the knee towards the torso. They also assist in moving the leg towards and away from the other leg. Hip flexors facilitate movements such as walking, running, and jumping.

Health and Fitness

Tight hip flexors can lead to a limited range of motion, poor posture, lower back, and hip pain, and even injuries. These muscles need to get a workout when you are standing and doing movements such as raising your leg to climb stairs, run, or do aerobic exercises.

See Also

• Hip joint
• Hip muscles
• Hip anatomy