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The hip joint is a ball and socket joint that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the hip bone (pelvis). There are 21 muscles that cross the hip joint, working with the hip tendons and ligaments to enable movement in various directions. The hip muscles are divided into two main categories: the muscles of the hip joint and the muscles of the hip girdle. The muscles of the hip joint facilitate the movement of the hip joint, while the muscles of the hip girdle offer stability and support to the hip joint. The hip muscles can be further grouped into large and superficial muscles, and small and deep muscles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hip muscles | 21 |
| Hip joint | Ball and socket joint |
| Hip adductors | Gracilis, pectineus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, adductor minimus, obturator externus |
| Hip abductors | Gluteus medius, gluteus minimus |
| Hip flexors | Iliopsoas (iliacus and psoas major), rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis |
| Hip extensors | Gluteus maximus |
| Hip rotators | Piriformis, obturator internus, obturator externus, gemellus superior, gemellus inferior, quadratus femoris, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, tensor fasciae latae |
| Blood supply | Medial circumflex, lateral circumflex femoral arteries, profunda femoris, femoral artery, foveal artery, obturator artery, obturator vein, internal iliac vein |
| Innervation | Obturator nerve (L2-L4), femoral nerve (L2-L3), sciatic nerve (L4) |
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Hip adductors
The hip adductors are a group of muscles that are responsible for the movement of bringing the leg towards the midline of the body. This group of muscles is also known as the adductor group and is responsible for hip adduction. The hip adductors are located in the medial compartment of the thigh and extend from the pelvis to the femur and tibia. They are also involved in hip flexion and rotation.
There are six hip adductor muscles: gracilis, pectineus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, and adductor minimus. The adductor longus is the most frequently injured muscle in athletes, with strains being one of the most common causes of groin pain. The adductor brevis is a short muscle that lies underneath the adductor longus. The gracilis is the most superficial and medial muscle of the group, crossing both the hip and knee joints. It is a long, strap-like muscle that flexes the leg and internally rotates it.
The adductor magnus is the largest of the hip adductors and consists of two parts: the adductor part and the ischiocondylar (hamstring) part. The adductor part is considered part of the medial thigh compartment, while the hamstring part belongs to the posterior compartment of the thigh. The pectineus muscle is also involved in hip flexion, although it is not a primary hip adductor.
The hip adductors are innervated by the obturator nerve and receive their blood supply from the obturator artery, a branch of the internal iliac artery. They play an important role in stabilising the pelvis and lower extremity during gait and assist in postural control.
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Hip extensors
The hip extensors are a group of muscles that are primarily responsible for activities like jumping, running, and standing up. They play a key role in the upward and forward movement of the body and can also tilt the pelvis when the femur is stable. The hip extensor muscles are primarily active during the beginning of a stance and are used to prevent hip flexion.
The gluteus maximus is the primary hip extensor. It is a large muscle of the buttocks and is responsible for extending the hip joint and aiding in maintaining an upright posture. It is also the most powerful muscle of the extensor group, contributing more than 75% of the total power output. The gluteus maximus originates at the posteromedial outer rim of the iliac wing, the sacrococcygeal junction, the sacrotuberous ligaments, and the aponeurosis of the gluteus medius origin. The gluteus maximus also assists with lateral rotation and abduction of the thigh, and it stabilizes both the hip and knee joints through its influence on the iliotibial tract.
The hamstring muscles, which include the long head of the biceps femoris, the semitendinosus, and the semimembranosus, are also hip extensors. The extensor head of the adductor magnus is also considered a primary hip extensor.
Hip extension occurs when you extend or "open" your hip joint so that the angle between your pelvis and thigh increases. It can mean either moving your leg behind you when standing or using the hip extensor muscles to propel your body forward over your leg when your leg starts flexed in front of you. It is involved in many daily movements, such as walking, standing up from a chair, and climbing stairs, as well as sports activities such as running, jumping, or kicking.
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Hip flexors
The hip flexors are a group of muscles responsible for flexing the hip, or bringing the leg upward toward the body. The hip and thigh play an integral role in functions like walking, sitting, standing, and bending. Sitting for long periods can cause hip flexors to shorten and tighten, leading to functional problems and pain.
The primary hip flexors are the psoas major and the iliacus, which, collectively, are often called the iliopsoas. The psoas originates from the lower vertebrae of the spine, while the iliacus originates from the inside bowl of the pelvis. They meet and insert at the top of the femur, or upper leg bone. The iliopsoas works to stabilise the trunk during activities such as lifting, pushing, and pulling. It also draws the knees toward the chest, as in running or kicking movements.
The pectineus acts as a hip flexor and secondary adductor. It originates on the superior pubic ramus and inserts on the pectineal line of the femur. The rectus femoris is one of the quadriceps and a hip flexor muscle. It has two functions: flexing at the hip and extending the knee. The sartorius, the longest muscle in the body, crosses the hip and knee joints. It originates at the anterior superior iliac spine and inserts on the pes anserinus. It functions to flex the hip and externally rotate the leg.
Hip flexor exercises, including yoga poses, can help strengthen and relieve tension. Stretching the hip flexors can increase flexibility and mobility.
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Hip abductors
The hip abductors are an important group of muscles that enable us to stand, walk, and rotate our legs. They are closely related to the core muscles and are crucial for balance and athletic activity. The hip abductor muscles include the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae. The secondary hip abductors include the piriformis, sartorius, and superior fibres of the gluteus maximus.
The hip abductor muscles are responsible for most of the forces on the hip while standing on one leg. These muscles are under greater demand when standing on one leg than when walking. When standing on one leg, the hip abductor muscles of the stance leg must hold the pelvis level, preventing it from dropping or sagging to the opposite side. This is called single-limb support and the hip abductors must supply an adequate contraction force to keep the pelvis from "falling into the space" created by the advancing other leg.
Weakness in the hip abductor muscles can cause pain and interfere with proper movement. Hip abduction exercises can help strengthen these muscles and prevent and treat pain in the hips and knees. These exercises are often used in therapy settings and by bodybuilders and weightlifters. They include lying side leg lifts, clamshells, and banded side steps or squats.
The hip abductors are also associated with knee health and stability. Research has shown that knee valgus, where the knees cave inward, is associated with a lack of hip strength and that hip abduction exercises can improve the condition.
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Hip joint and hip girdle
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint that connects the pelvic girdle to the lower limb. It is formed by an articulation between the pelvic acetabulum and the head of the femur. The hip joint is a multiaxial joint that permits a wide range of motion, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, external rotation, internal rotation, and circumduction. The hip joint is designed for stability and weight-bearing rather than a large range of movement. It supports the body's weight and allows the upper leg to move, facilitating essential functions such as walking, sitting, standing, and bending.
The hip joint is surrounded by several large muscles that provide stability, support, and movement. These muscles can be broadly categorised into two groups: the muscles of the hip joint and the muscles of the hip girdle. The muscles of the hip joint directly facilitate the movement of the hip joint, while the muscles of the hip girdle offer stability and support to the hip joint.
The gluteus maximus is a large muscle of the buttocks that extends the hip joint and aids in maintaining an upright posture. It is one of the superficial gluteal muscles, along with the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae. These muscles have a variety of functions on the hip joint, including extension, external and internal rotation, and abduction and adduction of the thigh.
The iliopsoas muscle, a combination of the iliacus and psoas major muscles, flexes the hip joint and is crucial for lower body movements such as walking and running. The psoas major is a large muscle that runs from the lumbar vertebrae and joins with the iliacus via its tendon to connect to the femur. The rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius muscles form the quadriceps femoris group, which assists in hip flexion and extends the knee joint.
The hip adductors, including the gracilis, pectineus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, and adductor minimus muscles, are located in the medial compartment of the thigh. They are responsible for adduction, the movement of bringing the leg towards the midline of the body. The piriformis, obturator internus, obturator externus, gemellus superior, gemellus inferior, and quadratus femoris are the deep internal rotators of the thigh at the hip joint.
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Frequently asked questions
The hip muscles are a group of muscles that surround the hip joint and enable movement in various directions. There are 5 major groups of hip muscles, each responsible for a specific type of hip movement. These muscles include the gluteals, adductor muscles, iliopsoas muscle, quadriceps, and hamstrings.
The hip muscles are located around the hip joint, which connects the thigh bone (femur) to the hip bone (pelvis). The hip joint allows for movement in three major axes, all perpendicular to one another: flexion and extension, internal and external rotation, and abduction and adduction.
The hip muscles facilitate daily activities such as walking, sitting, standing, and bending. They also help maintain an upright posture and provide stability and balance to the body. The hip muscles work in conjunction with muscles in other parts of the body, such as the shoulders, neck, and core, to enable these movements and postures.
