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Sartorius

Contents

Anatomy

General information

  • This section is strictly limited to anatomy, you might be looking for clinical relevant information which is found under the clinical chapters -- muscles section, click here to go to that page

Position

  • Superficial

Origin

  • SIAS (spina iliaca anterior superior) tendon

Insertion

  • Pes anserinus tendon
    • Proximal and anteromedially on the tibia

Main function

  • Hip
    • Flexion
    • Abduction
    • Lateral rotation
  • Knee
    • Flexion
  • Pelvis
    • Anterior tilt

Secondary function

  • Knee
    • Medial rotation
  • Pelvis
    • Depression
    • Contralateral rotation

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental
    • L2-L3
  • Peripheral
    • Femoral nerve

Arterial supply

  • Femoral artery

Palpation

  • Patient position
    • Supine
  • Palpate the SIAS and place your hand just distal and medially to it
  • Ask the patient to flex and laterally rotate the hip while you feel for the contraction of sartorius
  • To further distuingish the muscle, give resistance towards extension so that the patient is giving force towards flexion

Strength test

  • Patient position
    • Supine
  • Ask the patient to hold the leg in a laterally rotated, abducted and flexed position of the hip while the knee is flexed
  • Give resistance towards the anterolateral surface just proximal to the knee joint in extension, adduction and medial rotation direction of the hip, so that the patient is giving force towards flexion, abduction and lateral rotation
  • Meanwhile, give resistance towards the posterior aspect of the leg just proximal to the ankle in an exntension direction so that the patient is giving force towards flexion of the knee

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