Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

174 Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology

Summary of Hip Muscle Attachments and Actions

A summary of the attachments of primary hip muscles and their primary actions is provided in table 4.1,

and selected muscles and attachments are shown in figures 4.13, A and B, and 4.14, A and B. From

these resources, estimate the line of pull of the muscle, deduce its actions, and then check for accuracy

by referring to figure 4.13C or 4.14C. Note that the proximal attachment of the iliopsoas is not shown in

figure 4.13 but can be approximated from a close examination of figure 4.5 on page 165.

TABLE 4.1 Summary of Attachments and Primary Actions of Hip Muscles

Muscle Proximal attachment(s) Distal attachment(s) Primary action(s)

Anterior muscles

Iliopsoas (il-ee-o-SO-us)

Psoas major

(SO-us)

Transverse processes,

bodies, and intervertebral

discs of T12-L5

Lesser trochanter of

femur

Hip flexion

Hip abduction (higher

ranges)

Posture

Iliacus

(il-ee-AK-us)

Iliac fossa, crest of ilium,

inner lateral sacrum

Lesser trochanter of

femur

Hip flexion

Hip abduction (higher

ranges)

Rectus femoris

(REK-tus FEM-o-ris)

Anterior inferior iliac spine

Posterior head: just above

acetabulum

Tibial tuberosity via

patellar tendon

Hip flexion

(Knee extension)

Sartorius

(sar-TOR-ee-us)

Anterior superior iliac

spine (ASIS) and area just

below

Medial surface of upper

tibia (pes anserinus)

Hip flexion

Hip abduction

Hip external rotation

(Knee flexion)

Posterior muscles

Gluteus maximus

(GLOO-tee-us MAK-si-mus)

Crest and posterior

surface of ilium, posterior

surface of sacrum and

coccyx

Line on posterior

femur between greater

trochanter and linea

aspera and iliotibial tract

Hip extension

Hip external rotation

Hamstrings

Biceps femoris

(BI-seps FEM-o-ris)

Long head: ischial

tuberosity

Short head: linea aspera

of femur

Head of fibula

Lateral tibial condyle

Hip extension

Hip external rotation

(Knee flexion)

(Knee external rotation)

Semitendinosus

(sem-ee-ten-di-NO-sus)

Ischial tuberosity Medial surface of upper

tibia (pes anserinus)

Hip extension

Hip internal rotation

(Knee flexion)

(Knee internal rotation)

Semimembranosus

(sem-ee-mem-brah-NO-sus)

Ischial tuberosity Medial condyle of tibia Hip extension

Hip internal rotation

(Knee flexion)

(Knee internal rotation)