Hip Muscles and Gluteus

The main movements in the hip are flexion (bending), extension, rotation (lateral or external and medial or internal), away from the body (abduction) and towards the centre of the body (adduction).

Flexion is performed by the iliopsoas muscle with help from the tensor fascia lata, pectineus, adductor longus and brevis and gracilis. The thigh muscles assisting with this task: rectus femoris and sartorius muscles. Maximal flexion occurs until the thigh comes into contact with the abdomen and chest.

Extension is performed by the gluteus maximus muscle and helped by the gluteus medias and piriformis muscle. These thigh muscles also assist to an extent: long head biceps, semimembranosus and semitendinosus.

External rotation is performed by various muscles: gluteus maximus, quadratus femoris, obturator, adductor and piriformis muscles. Internal rotation is performed by the anterior fibres of the gluteus medius and adductor magnus.

Abduction is performed by the gluteus medius, tensor fascia lata, piriformis and obturator muscles. Adduction is mainly performed by the adductor muscles.

Keywords: Hip Muscles and Gluteus, Hip Muscles and Movements