What Are the Functions of the Sartorius Muscle?
The sartorius is one of the muscles located on the anterior or front of the thigh. It is long and narrow, running diagonally from the pelvis to near the inner knee. It helps to flex the lower leg.
-
Functions
-
Flexing the leg at the knee joint is the primary function of the sartorius. Its other actions are laterally rotating, abducting and flexing the thigh at the hip joint.
Size
-
The sartorius is the longest of all of the muscles in the body.
-
Origin
-
The location where the sartorius originates is the anterior superior iliac spine. In common terms, this is part of the front of the hip.
Insertion
-
The insertion for the sartorius is on the larger of the two bones of the lower leg. Specifically, this point is medial to the tibial tuberosity on the proximal end of the tibia bone.
Group
-
This muscle belongs to a group called the hip flexors, which work together to pull the knee and thigh up toward the trunk of the body.
Injury
-
Pulling or straining the sartorius can be extremely painful. Injury usually occurs as a result of falling or being directly hit in a contact sport. Treatment may include specific stretches and local injection of pain medication.
-
Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
