Introduction & Overview: Hip Muscles

There are a number of ways that the muscles of the hips are categorized and described, including the following:

1. Location — The hip muscles include those on all four sides of the hip joint: Anterior, Medial, Posterior, and Lateral.
2. Function — When categorized by function, the hip muscles are described as: Abductors, Adductors, Flexors, Extensors and Rotators.
3. Muscle Group — Another way they may be categorized is by muscle group: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Adductors and Gluteals.

Muscles Pull the Femur in Many Directions

[Because the hip] joint has the possibility to move at so many different angles, you must have muscles that can pull the femur in all of these directions, too. The tissues around the hip joint do just that; they attach to and cross the hip joint at all of the angles necessary to move it effectively. It goes without saying that any of the muscles, if tight, can also limit the hip’s range of motion. – David Keil