Sartorius muscle

Sartorius muscle is a long, thin, superficial muscle that runs down the length of the thigh in the anterior compartment. It is the longest muscle in the human body. Its upper portion forms the lateral border of the femoral triangle.

Anatomy

The sartorius muscle originates from the anterior superior iliac spine on the lateral edge of the hip bone. From there, it runs obliquely across the upper and anterior part of the thigh in an inferomedial direction. It then descends to the medial side of the knee, passing behind the medial condyle of the femur to end in a tendon. This tendon curves anteriorly to join the tendons of the gracilis and semitendinosus muscles at the pes anserinus, where it inserts into the superomedial surface of the tibia.

Function

The sartorius muscle can perform all actions on the hip joint: flexion, abduction, and lateral rotation, and all actions on the knee joint: flexion and medial rotation. It is used when sitting cross-legged, and is sometimes referred to as the "tailor's muscle" because tailors historically sat in this position.

Clinical significance

Injury to the sartorius muscle or its nerve supply can cause a loss of the ability to perform its actions. This can result in difficulty with activities such as climbing stairs or bringing the knees to the chest.

See also

• Femoral triangle
• Pes anserinus
• Gracilis muscle
• Semitendinosus muscle

External links

• AnatomyZone: Sartorius Muscle

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Sartorius muscle

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  Gray's Anatomy illustration of the sartorius muscle

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  Cross section of the thigh showing the sartorius muscle

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  Gray's Anatomy illustration of the muscles of the thigh

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  Gray's Anatomy illustration of the sartorius muscle in the leg

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  Anatomical dissection showing the sartorius muscle

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  Slide showing sartorius muscle anatomy

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  Slide showing sartorius muscle anatomy

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  Slide showing sartorius muscle anatomy

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  Slide showing sartorius muscle anatomy

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  Slide showing sartorius muscle anatomy

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  Slide showing sartorius muscle anatomy

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  Slide showing sartorius muscle anatomy