Lower Extremity Muscles

Illiopsoas (Psoas Major & Iliacus)

Hip

• Flexion

• External/Lateral Rotation

• Anterior Tilt of Pelvis 

Trunk

• Unilaterally (psoas major)

  • assist to laterally flex the lumbar spine

Gluteus Maximus

Hip

• All Fibers

  • Extension

  • External/Lateral Rotation

  • Abduction

  • posterior tilt of pelvis

• Lower Fibers

  • Abduction

Gluteus Medius

Hip

• All Fibers

  • Abduction

• Anterior Fibers

  • Flexion

  • Internal/Medial Rotation

• Posterior Fibers

  • Extension

  • External/Lateral Rotation

maintains pelvic stability in stance

Gluteus Minimus 

Hip

-Abduction

-Internal/Medial Rotation

-Flexion

Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL)

Hip

-Flexion

-Internal/Medial Rotation

-Abduction

Sartorius 

Hip

• Flexion

• Abduction w Flexion & External Rotation

Knee

• Flexion

• Internal/Medial Rotation (when knee is flexed)

Adductor Magnus

Hip

• Adduction

• Internal/Medial Rotation

• flexion

Posterior Fibers

• extension when hip is flexed

Knee

• internal/medial rotation (when knee is flexed)

Adductor Longus

Hip

• Adduction

• Internal/Medial Rotation

• assist flexion when hip is extended

Knee

• internal/medial rotation (when knee is flexed)

Pectineus

Hip

• adduction

• internal/medial rotation

• flexion

Knee

• internal/medial rotation (when knee is flexed)

Adductor Brevis

Hip

• adduction

• internal/medial rotation

• flexion

Knee

• internal/medial rotation (when knee is flexed)

Gracilis

Hip

• adduction

• internal/medial rotation

Knee

• flexion

• internal/medial rotation (when knee is flexed)

Piriformis

Hip

• external/lateral rotation

• abduction when the hip is flexed 

Quadratus Femoris

Hip

• external/lateral rotation 

Obturator Internus

Hip

• external/lateral rotation

Obturator Externus

Hip

• external/lateral rotation

Gemellus Superior

Hip

• external/lateral rotation

Gemellus Inferior

Hip

• external/lateral rotation

Semimembranosus (Hamstrings)

Hip

• extension

• internal/medial rotation

• posterior pelvic tilt

Knee