Hip flexors

The iliacus and nearby muscles

Iliac colon, sigmoid or pelvic colon, and rectum seen from the front, after removal of pubic bones and bladder. (Ilio-psoas labeled at center right.)

In human anatomy, the hip flexors are a group of skeletal muscles that act to flex the femur onto the lumbo-pelvic complex, i.e., pull the knee upward.

The hip flexors are (in descending order of importance to the action of flexing the hip joint):^[1]

• Collectively known as the iliopsoas or inner hip muscles:
  • Psoas major
  • Psoas minor
  • Iliacus muscle

• Anterior compartment of thigh
  • Rectus femoris. (Part of the Quadriceps.)
  • Sartorius

• One of the gluteal muscles:
  • Tensor fasciae latae

• Medial compartment of thigh
  • Pectineus
  • Adductor longus
  • Adductor brevis
  • Gracilis

Without the iliopsoas muscles, flexion in sitting position is not possible across the horizontal plane.^[1]

Notes

References

• Platzer, Werner (2004). Color Atlas of Human Anatomy, Vol 1: Locomotor system (5th ed.). Thieme. ISBN 3-13-533305-1.  (ISBN for the Americas 1-58890-159-9.)

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