Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2024

Spring 2024 • 49

vastus medialis. It arises from the anterior and lateral surfaces of the femur and inserts on the tibial tuberosity via the patella and patellar ligament. This muscle is responsible for knee extension. These muscles work together to extend the knee joint and play a significant role in various lower body movements, such as walking, running, jumping and squatting. The quadriceps are the primary extensor muscles of the knee and are among the strongest muscles in the human body. 7 Functionally, the quadriceps are vitally important for controlling leg movements, absorbing impact forces during weight-bearing activities and providing stability to the knee joint. They work in coordination with the hamstrings— the group of muscles located on the back of the thigh—to maintain balance and control during various lower body movements. The adductor muscle group , also known as the hip adductor group, is a collection of muscles located on the medial aspect of the thigh. These muscles work together to produce adduction, medial rotation, as well as a few other movements of the hip. The primary functions of the adductor muscle group are to stabilize the pelvis and assist in movements such as walking, running and maintaining balance. 8 • The adductor longus muscle runs from the pelvis to the femur and originates on the pubic tubercle and inserts on the medial lip of the linea aspera. This muscle is responsible for adduction, medial rotation and assisting with hip flexion. • Positioned deeper in the thigh, the adductor brevis muscle is located between the adductor longus and the adductor magnus. This muscle originates on the inferior ramus of the pubis and inserts on the pectineal line and medial lip of the linea aspera. The function of adductor brevis is to adduct, medially rotate, and assist with flexion of the hip. • The adductor magnus is the largest muscle of the adductor group and originates on the inferior ramus of the pubis, the ramus of the ischium and the ischial tuberosity. This

muscle inserts onto the medial lip of the linea aspera and adductor tubercle. The function of the adductor magnus is to adduct, medially rotate the hip and assist with flexion of the hip. The posterior fibers can assist in extension of the hip. • Positioned on the medial side of the thigh, the gracilis is the only adductor muscle to cross the knee. This muscle originates on the inferior ramus of the pubis and inserts on the proximal and medial shaft of the tibia at the pes anserinus tendon. It produces adduction and medially rotates the hip, flexes the knee, and medially rotates the flexed knee. • Although not always considered part of the adductor group, the pectineus muscle is often included due to its similar functions. This muscle is the smallest of all five adductor muscles and originates on the superior ramus of the pubis and inserts on the pectineal line of the femur. This muscle produces adduction, medial rotation, and assists to flex the hip. The sartorius muscle is a long, thin, strap like muscle located in the anterior compartment of the thigh. The longest muscle in the human body, it originates on the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and inserts on the proximal and medial shaft of the tibia at the pes anserinus tendon. The sartorius runs in an oblique direction between its attachment sites, allowing it to cross both the hip and knee joints. This muscle has several actions but does not do many of them well. It is responsible for flexion, lateral rotation and abduction of the hip, as well as flexion and medial rotation of the flexed knee. Sitting cross-legged demonstrates all four actions of the sartorius muscle. 9 The popliteus muscle is a small, deep muscle located in the posterior compartment of the lower leg, specifically in the area deep in the knee joint. Despite its relatively small size, the popliteus muscle plays a pivotal role in knee joint mechanics and is important for maintaining normal function and movement. The popliteus muscle originates from the lateral condyle of the femur and inserts on the

The primary functions of the adductor muscle group are to stabilize the pelvis and assist in movements such as walking, running and maintaining balance. 9

amtamassage.org/mtj