BLUE SKY SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE AND
THERAPEUTIC BODYWORK
Musculoskeletal Anatomy & Kinesiology
PELVIC GIRDLE & HIP MUSCLES
MSAK201-I
Session 1
1) REVIEW
a) Bones
i) Pelvic Girdle
(1) Os coxa
(a) Ilium
(i) ASIS
(ii) AIIS
(iii)Iliac crest
(iv) Iliac fossa
(v) Superior, Middle, and Inferior Gluteal lines
(vi) PSIS
(b) Ischium
(i) Ischial tuberosity
(c) Pubis
(i) Superior pubic ramus and pubic tubercle
(ii) Inferior pubic ramus
ii) Sacrum and Coccyx
iii) Femur
(1) Greater trochanter
(2) Lesser trochanter
(3) Pectineal line
(4) Linea aspera
(5) Medial and lateral supracondylar ridge
(6) Adductor tubercle
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© Blue Sky School of Professional Massage and Therapeutic Bodywork
MSAK 201-I – Session 1 – Semester 2
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iv) Patella
v) Tibia
(1) Tibial tuberosity
vi) Fibula
(1) head
b) Joints
i) Sacroiliac joints
ii) Symphysis pubis
iii) Sacrocyccygeal joint
iv) Lumbosacral joint
v) Acetabulofemoral joint
c) Terminology
i) Pes Anserine area – located on proximal medial tibia includes the attachments of Sartorius,
Gracilis, and Semitendinosus
2) HIP MUSCLES
a) Iliopsoas
i) Iliacus
(1) Origin: Iliac fossa.
(2) Insertion: Lesser trochanter of femur.
(3) Fiber Direction: Superior to inferior.
(4) Actions:
(a) Flexion of hip.
(b) External rotation of hip.
(c) Tilt pelvis anteriorly.
(5) Notes / relationship to other musculoskeletal
structures:
(a) A chronically tight Iliacus anteriorly tilts the
pelvis causing the lumbar curve to become
hyperlordotic.
(b) Most of the Iliacus is not palpable.
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© Blue Sky School of Professional Massage and Therapeutic Bodywork
MSAK 201-I – Session 1 – Semester 2
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ii) Psoas Major
(1) Origin: TP’s, bodies and discs of L1-L5.
(2) Insertion: Lesser trochanter of femur.
(3) Fiber Direction: Superior to inferior.
(4) Actions:
(a) Flexion of hip.
(b) Flexion of trunk.
(c) External Rotation of hip.
(d) Tilt pelvis anteriorly.
(5) Notes / relationship to other musculoskeletal
structures:
(a) The Psoas major is deep but palpable.
(b) Often the Iliacus and Psoas major are referred to as the Iliopsoas muscle because of their
common distal attachment.
(c) A chronically tight Psoas major anteriorly tilts the pelvis causing the lumbar curve to
become hyperlordotic.
iii) Psoas Minor
(1) Origin: Bodies and TPs of L1.
(2) Insertion: Superior ramus of pubis.
(3) Fiber Direction: Superior to inferior.
(4) Actions:
(a) Assists to create lordotic curve.
(b) Tilt pelvis posteriorly.
(5) Notes / relationship to other musculoskeletal structures:
(a) The Psoas minor is absent in 60% of the population.
(b) Psoas minor is fairly weak and usually not considered to
be a very important muscle.
b) Gluteus Maximus
i) Origin: Posterior sacrum, coccyx, posterior iliac crest,
sacrotuberous and sacroiliac ligaments
ii) Insertion:
(1) Iliotibial band.
(2) Gluteal tuberosity of femur.
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© Blue Sky School of Professional Massage and Therapeutic Bodywork
MSAK 201-I – Session 1 – Semester 2
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iii) Fiber Direction:
Superior to inferior laterally.
iv) Actions
(1) Extension of hip.
(2) External rotation.
(3) Abduction of hip (upper 1/3 fibers)
(4) Adduction of hip (lower 2/3 fibers).
v) Notes / relationship to other musculoskeletal structures:
(1) There are two muscles that attach into the iliotibial band: Gluteus maximus and the TFL.
(2) Gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the human body.
c) Gluteus Medius
i) Origin: Iliac crest between superior and middle
gluteal lines.
ii) Insertion: Greater trochanter of femur.
iii) Fiber Direction:
Superior to inferior laterally.
iv) Actions
(1) Abduction of hip.
(2) Medial rotation of hip.
(3) Anterior fibers flex.
(4) Posterior fibers extend.
v) Notes / relationship to other musculoskeletal structures:
(1) 1/3 of the Gluteus medius is deep to the Gluteus maximus.
d) Gluteus Minimus
i) Origin: Posterior ilium between middle and inferior
gluteal lines.
ii) Insertion: Greater trochanter of femur.
iii) Fiber Direction:
Superior to inferior laterally.
iv) Actions:
(1) Abduction of hip.
(2) Medial rotation of hip.
(3) Flexion of hip.
v) Notes / relationship to other musculoskeletal structures:
(1) The attachments of Gluteus minimus are difficult to differentiate
from the Gluteus medius.
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© Blue Sky School of Professional Massage and Therapeutic Bodywork
MSAK 201-I – Session 1 – Semester 2
4
e) Deep Six Lateral Rotator Muscles
i) Piriformis
ii) Superior Gemellus
iii) Obturator Internus
iv) Inferior Gemellus
v) Obturator Externus
vi) Quadratus Femoris
vii) As a group:
(1) Origin: Anterior sacrum, ischial spine, ischial
tuberosity, superior & inferior pubic rami, obturator foramen.
(2) Insertion: Greater trochanter of femur.
(3) Fiber Direction: Horizontally in the transverse plane.
(4) Action: External Rotation of hip.
(5) Notes / relationship to other musculoskeletal structures:
(a) Piece Goods Often Go On Quilts.
3) Motions of Hip
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ACTION
ROM
AGONIST
SYNERGIST
Flexion
120°
Iliacus
Psoas Major
Rectus femoris
Sartorius
Adductor longus
Adductor magnus
Pectineus
Extension
30°
Gluteus maximus
Biceps femoris
Semimembranosus
Semitendinosus
Adductor magnus
Adduction
20 – 30°
Adductor longus
Adductor magnus
Gracilis
Gluteus maximus
Pectineus
Abduction
45 – 50°
Gluteus medius
Gluteus minimus
Sartorius
Tensor Fasciae latea
External Rotation
45°
Piriformis
Deep Six
Sartorius
Iliopsoas
Gluteus Maximus
Internal Rotation
35°
Gluteus medius
Gluteus minimus
Adductor magnus
Adductor longus
Tensor fasciae latae
© Blue Sky School of Professional Massage and Therapeutic Bodywork
MSAK 201-I – Session 1 – Semester 2
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