LOWER LIMB
HIP JOINT
Muscles of the Hip
Overview
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Muscles that cross the hip joint anteriorly
Psoas major
 Illiacus
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Muscles of the gluteal area
Gluteus maximus
 Gluteus medius
 Gluteus minimus
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Lateral rotators of the hip
Psoas Major & Iliacus
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Origin of Psoas Major:
Lumbar vertebrae,
intervertebral discs and
transverse processes
Origin of Iliacus:
Fan shaped origin in fossa
iliaca
Psoas Major & Iliacus
Common insertion of Psoas
Major and Iliacus:
 Lesser trochanter of femur
Psoas Major & Iliacus
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Action:
Flexion of hip joint
Lateral rotation of hip joint
Stabilisation of hip joint during walking
Psoas Major & Iliacus
Psoas Major
 L2-L3
Innervation:
Iliacus
 Femoral nerve
Gluteus Maximus
Gluteus Maximus
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Origin:
Lateral surface of ileum,
behind Ileum
the gluteal line
Ischium
Dorsal surface
Pubis (posterior
surface) of sacrum, coccyx
and sacrotuberous ligament
Gluteus Maximus
Insertion:
• Superficial ¾ ~ iliotibial
tract
• Deep ¼ ~gluteal
tuberosity on femur
Gluteus Maximus
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Action:
Powerful extensor of the hip joint ~ only when
strength is needed i.e.:
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Rising from a sitting position
Climbing stairs
Running
Powerful lateral rotator of the thigh ~ when thigh is
extended
Regulate flexion when sitting
Losses strength when thigh is flexed
Gluteus Maximus

Innervation:
Inferior gluteal nerve
Gluteus Medius

Origin:
Lateral aspect of ileum ~
between anterior and
posterior gluteal lines
Gluteus Medius
Insertion:
• Oblique insertion onto
greater trochanter of
femur
Gluteus Medius
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Action:
NB: Muscle lies in same coronal plane as hip
joint
In the anatomical position, the greater
trochanter of the femur lies slightly more
posterior than the hip joint
Gluteus Medius
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Action:
Abduction, as well as, medial rotation of hip
joint
Plays an important role in walking
When the support of one leg is taken away in
upright standing position, the opposite
muscle will contract reflexively. This prevents
the pelvis from tilting
Gluteus Medius

Action:
Paralysis of muscle causes the typical “goose
gait” (Trendelenburg sign)
Gluteus Medius

Innervation:
Superior gluteal nerve
Gluteus Minimus
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Origin:
Lateral surface of the
ileum ~ between anterior
and inferior gluteal lines
Gluteus Minimus
Insertion:
• Anterior surface of the
greater trochanter of the
femur
Gluteus Minimus
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Action:
Relationship of gluteus minimus the same as
gluteus medius, therefore the action is
essentially the same
Gluteus Minimus
Innervation:
• Superior gluteal nerve
Lateral rotators of the hip
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Piriformis
Internal obturator
Superior gemellus
Inferior gemellus
Quadratus femoris
External obturator
Lateral rotators of the hip