29/03/2026
of the and
The muscles of the hip and pelvis are responsible for the pelvis and enabling a wide range of motion, including walking, running, and bending. They are functionally divided into groups, including flexors (iliopsoas, re**us femoris), extensors (gluteus maximus, hamstrings), abductors (gluteus medius/minimus), and rotators (piriformis, obturators).
Key Muscle Groups and Functions:
• Hip Flexors: Bring the knee toward the chest, primarily the iliopsoas (iliacus and psoas major), aided by the re**us femoris, sartorius, and pectineus.
• Hip Extensors: Move the leg backward, primarily the gluteus maximus, along with the hamstrings (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus).
• Hip Abductors: Move the leg away from the body midline, dominated by the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae (TFL).
• Hip Adductors: Pull the leg toward the midline, including the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, and gracilis.
Hip Rotators:
• External (Lateral) Rotators: Piriformis, obturator internus, obturator externus, superior gemellus, inferior gemellus, and quadratus femoris.
• Internal (Medial) Rotators: Anterior fibers of the gluteus medius and minimus, along with the TFL.
Main Functional Areas:
• Gluteal Region: Gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus, responsible for extension, abduction, and stabilization of the pelvis.
• Iliac Region: Iliacus and Psoas major (iliopsoas).
• Thigh Region: Adductors, hamstrings, and quadriceps, which affect the hip joint.