Hip muscles
Hip muscles act on the hip joint to effect flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal and external rotation. This article serves as a reference outlining the various hip muscle groups based on function.
Hip flexion
- psoas major
- iliacus
- rectus femoris
- sartorius
- tensor fascia lata
- pectineus (weak)
- adductor longus (up to 70 degrees)
- adductor brevis (up to 70 degrees)
- adductor magnus (weak)
- gracilis (weak)
- gluteus minimus (anterior part)
Hip extension
- gluteus maximus (at extremes of movement)
- hamstrings (throughout intermediate movement)
- gluteus minimus (posterior part)
- piriformis
- obturator internus
- gemelli
- adductor longus (past 80 degrees of flexion)
- adductor brevis (past 80 degrees of flexion)
- adductor magnus
Hip abduction
Hip adduction
- piriformis
- obturator internus
- obturator externus
- gemelli
- quadratus femoris
- pectineus
- adductor longus
- adductor brevis
- adductor magnus
- gracilis
Hip external rotation
- gluteus maximus
- gluteus minimus (posterior part)
- piriformis
- obturator internus
- obturator externus
- gemelli
- quadratus femoris
- sartorius
- pectineus
Hip internal rotation
- gluteus minimus (anterior part)
- tensor fascia lata
- adductor magnus
