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Sartorius Muscle Anatomy Overview

The sartorius muscle, the “tailor’s muscle” (L. sartus, patched or repaired), is long and ribbon-like. It passes lateral to medial across the supero-anterior part of the thigh. The sartorius muscle is located superficially in the anterior compartment, within its own relatively distinct fascial sheath. It descends inferiorly as far as the medial side of the knee.

The word sartorius is derived from the Latin word sartor, which translates to patcher, or tailor, due to how the individual will position their leg while working.

Sartorius Muscle Anatomy

The sartorius muscle originates from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and travels obliquely through the femur to insert on the Superior aspect of the medial surface of the tibial shaft near the tibial tuberosity (joins gracilis and semitendinosus at the pes anserinus).

See Also: Hip Muscles Anatomy
Sartorius Muscle

The blood supply to the sartorius muscle is mainly from the muscular branches of the femoral artery, and is innervated by the femoral nerve, which receives its nerve supply from L2, L3, and L4 nerve roots.

The sartorius muscle, the longest muscle in the body, acts across two joints. It flexes the hip joint and participates in flexion of the knee joint. It also weakly abducts the thigh and laterally rotates it. The actions of both sartorius muscles bring the lower limbs into the cross-legged sitting position. None of the actions of the sartorius is strong; therefore, it is mainly a synergist, acting with other thigh muscles that produce these movements.

pes anserinus muscles
Pes anserinus muscles
OriginAnterior superior iliac spine
InsertionSuperior aspect of the medial surface of the tibial shaft near the tibial tuberosity (joins gracilis and semitendinosus at the pes anserinus)
InnervationFemoral nerve (L2, L3, L4)
Blood SupplyMuscular branches of the femoral artery
ActionFlexes and laterally rotates the hip joint and flexes the knee

References & More

  1. Cael, C. (2010). Functional anatomy: Musculoskeletal anatomy, kinesiology, and palpation for manual therapists. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
  2. Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  3. Clinically Oriented Anatomy – 8th Edition
  4. Walters BB, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Thigh Sartorius Muscle. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: Pubmed
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