Muscles of the Hip and Thigh Flashcards
Gluteus Maximus Origin
Outer surface of ilium and posterior surface of sacrum and coccyx (over sacroiliac joint)
Gluteus Maximus Insertion
Upper posterior area of femur. Iliotibial tract (long tendon) of fascia lata muscle.
Gluteus Maximus Action
Extends and laterally rotates hip joint (forceful extension as in running or rising from sitting). Extends trunk. Assists in adduction of hip joint.
Gluteus Maximus Nerve
Inferior gluteal nerve, L5, S1, 2.
Gluteus Maximus Basic Functional Movement
Ex: Walking upstairs. Rising from sitting.
Gluteus Maximus Sports that heavily utilize this muscle
Ex: Running. Surfing. Wind surfing. Jumping. Weight lifting (‘clean’ phase, i.e. lifting weights up from floor).
Gluteus Maximus Strengthening Exercises
- Squats
- Seated leg press
- Multi-hip machine (cable hip extension / cable kick-back)
- Good morning exercise
Gluteus Maximus Self Stretches
Lying on back, pull knee to opposite shoulder. Avoid after pregnancy due to stress on pelvis.
Tensor Fasciae Latae Origin
Outer edge of iliac crest, towards the front.
Tensor Fasciae Latae Insertion
Joins iliotibial tract (long facsia lata tendon) just below the hip, which runs to the upper lateral side of the tibia.
Tensor Fasciae Latae Action
Flexes, abducts and medially rotates the hip joint. Tenses the fascia lata, thus stabilizing the knee
Tensor Fasciae Latae Nerve
Superior gluteal nerve, L4, 5, S1.
Tensor Fasciae Latae Basic Functional Movement
Ex: Walking
Tensor Fasciae Latae Sports that heavily utilize this muscle
Ex: Horse riding. Hurdling. Water Skiing
Tensor Fasciae Latae Common problems when muscle is chronically tight / shortened
Pelvic imbalances, leading to pain in hips, lower back and lateral area of knees.
Tensor Fasciae Latae Strengthening Exercises
- Abductor Machine
- Multi-hip machine
- Hip abduction
Tensor Fasciae Latae Self Stretches
- Lay on back; pull knee across front of body
2. Cross one leg in front of the other; push hip in the direction of the rear leg.
Gluteus Medius Origin
Upper outer surface of ilium
Gluteus Medius Insertion
Lateral surface of greater trochanter (top) of femur
Gluteus Medius Action
Abducts the hip joint. Anterior fibers medially rotate the hip joint. Posterior fibers slightly laterally rotate the hip joint.
Gluteus Medius Nerve
Superior gluteal nerve, L4, 5, S1
Gluteus Medius Basic Functional Movement
Ex: Stepping sideways over an object such as a low fence.
Gluteus Medius Sports that heavily utilize this muscle
Ex: All sports requiring side-stepping, esp. cross-country skiing, ice skating.
Gluteus Medius Common problems when muscle is chronically tight / shortened
Pelvic imbalances, leading to pain in hips, lower back and knees.
Gluteus Medius Strengthening Exercises
- Abductor machine
2. Multi-hip machine (cable hip abduction)
Gluteus Medius Self Stretches
- Hand on knee and pull across body.
2. Push your hips away from the wall.
Gluteus Minimus Origin
Middle outer surface of ilium, below origin of gluteus medius.
Gluteus Minimus Insertion
Anterior border of greater trochanter (top) of femur.
Gluteus Minimus Action
Abducts and medially rotates hip joint
Gluteus Minimus Basic Functional Movement
Ex: Stepping sideways over an object such as a low fence.
Gluteus Minimus Sports that heavily utilize this muscle
Ex: All sports requiring side-stepping, esp. cross-country skiing, ice skating.
Gluteus Minimus Common problems when muscle is chronically tight / shortened
Pelvic imbalances, leading to pain in hips, lower back and knees.
Gluteus Minimus Strengthening Exercises
- Abductor machine
2. Multi-hip machine (cable hip machine)
Gluteus Minimus Self Stretches
- Hand on knee and pull across body
2. Push your hips away from the wall
Piriformis Origin
Internal (front) surface of sacrum.
Piriformis Insertion
Greater trochanter (top) of femur
Piriformis Action
Laterally rotates hip joint. Abducts the thigh when hip is flexed. Helps hold head of femur in its socket.
Piriformis Nerve
Ventral rami of lumbar nerve, L(5) and sacral nerves, S1, 2.
Piriformis Basic Functional Movement
Ex: Taking first leg out of car.
Piriformis Sports that heavily utilize this muscle
Ex: Swimming (breast stroke legs). Soccer.
Piriformis Common problems when muscle is chronically tight / shortened
Hypertonic muscle may squeeze the sciatic nerve, causing ‘piriformis syndrome’, i.e. sciatic pain which begins in the buttocks.
Piriformis Strengthening Exercise
Isometric contraction of the buttocks in standing with legs apart.
Piriformis Self Stretches
Lie on back; cross right ankle over left knee and bring left knee slowly towards left shoulder, keeping the sacrum in contact with the ground or table. Be careful not to strain your knee joint.
Deep Lateral Hip Rotators (obturator internus, gemellus superior, gemellus inferior, quadratus femoris) Origin
Obturator internus: Inner surface of ischium, pubis, and ilium.
Gamellus superior: Ischial spine (lower posterior area of pelvis).
Gamellus Inferior: Just below origin of gemellus superior.
Quadratus femoris: Lateral edge of ischial tuberosity (sitting bone).