Bony Landmarks & Ligaments
These bony landmarks lie under the small dimples located at the base of the low back.
PSIS (Posterior Superior Iliac Spine)
This muscle group has the ability to change the location of the patella.
Quadriceps
This muscle is often called "the deltoid of the coxal joint".
Gluteus medius
This is the shared action performed by all muscles in the adductor group.
Adduction of the hip
If you feel a pulse while palpating deep for the psoas major, you should slowly but immediately perform this movement.
Move your fingers laterally
This bony landmark serves as the common attachment site for the hamstring muscles.
Ischial tuberosity
This muscle originates at the ASIS, inserts at the pes anserinus, and performs hip flexion, abduction, and lateral rotation alongside knee flexion.
Sartorius
This muscle lies directly deep to the semitendinosus.
Semimembranosus
Originating at the AIIS and inserting into the tibial tuberosity, this muscle flexes the hip and extends the knee.
Rectus femoris
To safely palpate the iliacus, you must press your fingertips directly into this feature of the pelvis.
Iliac fossa
You can locate this ligament by finding the 4th/5th lumbar vertebrae and tracing laterally to the posterior iliac crest.
Iliolumbar ligament
These three muscles converge to make up the pes anserinus tendon.
Sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus
Due to its function and attachment on the ischial tuberosity, the posterior fibers of this muscle are sometimes called the "4th hamstring".
Adductor magnus
Originating on the anterior surface of the sacrum and inserting on the greater trochanter, this muscle laterally rotates and abducts the hip.
Piriformis
Falling in a "split" motion acutely overstretches and strains this muscle group.
Adductors
This area is surrounded by the pubic crest, ischial tuberosities, and the coccyx.
Perineum
This is the only adductor muscle that crosses the tibiofemoral joint.
Gracilis
This nerve lies deep to the piriformis and is typically surrounded by the piriformis and superior gemellus.
Sciatic nerve
Originating from the ischial tuberosity (long head) and linea aspera (short head), this muscle inserts on the head of the fibula.
Biceps femoris
To palpate gluteus medius and minimus simultaneously, locate the space between the iliac crest and greater trochanter and have the client perform this action.
Abduct the hip
Continuous pulling on this ligament can result in extended healing time for the coccyx.
Sacrotuberous ligament
These three structures form the borders of the femoral triangle.
Inguinal ligament, Sartorius, Adductor Longus
This muscle lies directly between the biceps femoris and the iliotibial band.
Vastus lateralis
Originating at the iliac crest and ASIS, this muscle flexes, medially rotates, and abducts the hip.
Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL)
When palpating along the sartorius muscle, this major neurovascular structure lies directly medial to its proximal portion.
Femoral triangle