GENERAL INFORMATION
Sartorius is a long, strap-like muscle located in the anterior compartment of the thigh. It is the longest muscle in the human body. Sartorius plays a significant role in the movement as well as stabilisation of the hip and knee joints.
ORIGIN
This muscle originates from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), a bony prominence on the front of the pelvis.
INSERTION POINT
The muscle inserts onto the medial surface of the tibia, specifically the pes anserinus, a common insertion point shared with the gracilis and semitendinosus muscles.
MAJOR ARTERIES
This muscle is supplied with blood by branches of the femoral artery, including the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.
NEURAL INNERVATION
This muscle is innervated by the femoral nerve, which arises from the lumbar plexus (specifically the L2-L4 nerve roots).
TRIGGER POINT
Trigger points may develop in sartorius due to muscle tension, overuse, or injury. These trigger points can cause pain and discomfort along the muscle fibres.
CONCENTRIC FUNCTION
Sartorius functions concentrically to flex the hip joint, abduct the hip joint and externally rotate the hip joint. It also flexes the knee joint.
ECCENTRIC FUNCTION
It functions eccentrically to control hip extension, adduction and internal rotation. It also controls knee extension.
ISOMETRIC FUNCTION
Sartorius functions isometrically to stabilise the hip and knee joints during activities that require balance and support.
RELATED MUSCLE-SCIENTIFIC NAMES
- It is also known as the “tailor’s muscle” due to its role in the cross-legged sitting position resembling a tailor’s posture.
ANTAGONIST
The primary antagonist to sartorius is the quadriceps femoris muscle group, which includes:
- Rectus femoris: Flexes the hip and extends the knee.
- Vastus lateralis: Extends the knee.
- Vastus medialis: Extends the knee and stabilises the patella.
- Vastus intermedius: Extends the knee.
COMMON INJURIES
- Muscle strains or tears: Sudden and forceful movements, overuse, or direct trauma can cause muscle fibre damage.
- Hip or knee joint injuries: Sprains, ligament tears, or tendinitis affecting the hip or knee can indirectly impact sartorius.
EXERCISES
- Lunges: Strengthen and condition the sartorius by targeting the hip and knee joints.
- Leg swings: Improve flexibility and strength in the sartorius.
- Leg lifts: Target the sartorius for enhanced muscle tone and stability.
- Side lunges: Engage sartorius along with other thigh muscles for comprehensive conditioning.
STRETCHES
- Standing quad stretch: Pull the heel towards the buttocks while standing to stretch the sartorius and quadriceps.
- Standing cross-body stretch: Cross one leg over the other and bend forward to stretch the sartorius.
- Seated butterfly stretch: Sit with the soles of the feet together and knees bent outward to stretch the inner thigh and sartorius.