Sartorius muscle

Function and innervation

Due to its long course, the Satorius muscle fulfills a function in the hip joint as well as in the knee joint. Its origin at the hip causes the hip to flex as the muscle contracts (flexed) becomes. He can also rotate the thigh outward at the hip and lift it to the side (abduct).

In the knee joint, too, it belongs to the flexors of the knee together with the quadriceps muscle. Here, his lateral approach means that he can also rotate the knee inward.

When all of these five functions of the muscle are performed at the same time, the leg is in the cross-legged position. This is where the name of the muscle comes from. Overall, however, he is not primarily responsible for any of the movements, but instead forms with several muscles functional units. The force that the muscle can exert is roughly twice as great in the hip joint as in the knee joint.

The Sartorius muscle is innervated by the femoral nerve. This is a nerve that arises from the lumbar nerve plexus (segments L 2-4) and, in addition to the sartorius muscle, also supplies other muscles on the front thigh.

Location and course

The Sartorius muscle (also called "tailor's muscle") is an approximately 50cm long, narrow muscle belonging to the group of Thigh muscles is expected.

It runs very superficially on the front side of the body and runs across the Thigh. The origin is on the front outside of the Hip bone (Anterior superior iliac spine).

From there it spans the other thigh muscles spiral and, together with two other muscles, uses a tendon structure on the inner side of the Tibia at (Pes anserinus superficialis). Topographically, the Sartorius muscle has another special feature: it laterally delimits the "Trigonum femoral", an opening through which all great and important Vessels of the leg pull.

Therefore, one orientates oneself on the for an operation Femoral artery preferably on the sartorius muscle.

training

in the Strength training the Sartorius muscle is not necessarily a muscle that is specifically trained.

At Flexion of the leg at the hip he becomes more active and can therefore develop more strongly with such exercises.

strain

The best way to stretch the tailor's muscle is to use a big step forward makes and with the hip Drops towards the ground.

The knee of the back leg almost touches the ground and the Hip is extended.

The Upper body remains during this exercise upright and points forward.

paralysis

At a Lesion (e.g. entrapment) of the Femoral nerve it can happen that it can no longer supply its muscles. This has a paralysis or Muscle weakness result.

Often this happens Entrapment in the inguinal ligament. If, however, only the Sartorius muscle is affected, the Quadriceps femoris muscle compensate the failure very well so that the Consequences very little are.

At a complete failure However, of the femoral nerve, in which the quadriceps femoris muscle can no longer be supplied, the clinical picture is more serious: the knee can no longer be straightened and a Restriction in walking and standing.

Muscle strain

Also read our extensive lead article on the subject Muscle strain

This type of muscle disorder often occurs through Sports stress and mainly affects individual muscle groups.

It arises through long, heavy load or by changing from one movement to another too quickly. The reason can also be a insufficient warm-up phase have been.

This can also result in a more severe form of injury: a Torn hamstring or a complete muscle tear.

At a Muscle strain the original muscle remains intact but is overstretched. That can too swelling and Pain to lead. When something like this happens, it is important to protect the affected muscle and not to strain again too quickly.

Here you can start the therapy after the "PECH" rule align:

• Break: pause first and protect the affected muscle or relieve it completely.
• ice: The cold often helps against the pain.
• Compression: The swelling can be reduced with the help of an elastic pressure bandage.
• Elevate: Elevation also prevents swelling and reduces pain.

Inflammation of the muscles

Another disease that can affect the Sartorius muscle is one Inflammation of the muscles (Myositis). Muscle inflammation can result from a number of factors. On the one hand come bacteria or Viruses as a pathogen in question, but it can also due to a muscle injury come to its inflammation.

All forms of Myositis pain in the affected muscle. Other symptoms can be a local warming, one Muscle weakness and a skin rash be in the appropriate place. Above all are affected People over 50 years of age.

Muscle inflammation caused by pathogens such as Parasites and bacteria triggered, kick rather near the tropics and are rather rare in Germany.

But it can also be used as part of a Autoimmune disease develop an inflammation of the muscles. That is a situation in which the immune system directed against the body's own tissue.

What is difficult about this disease is that diagnosisas any form of the Myositis has its own security criteria. On the one hand, some are rising Inflammation parameters in the blood that can be measured, and there is also the Increase in certain enzymesthat are released by the inflamed muscle, an indication of such Myositis.

The treatment depends on the particular form, but comes standard with a high dose Cortisone therapy approached. This will make the Relieved pain and how Swelling and redness go down.

Another approach to pain relief are Immunosuppressantsthat suppress the immune system, and so those Prevent overreaction. Often a physiotherapy and Occupational therapy recommended.

Other possible diseases of the Sartorius muscle

At the Tendon insertion of M. Sartorius on Shin (Tibia) degenerative changes can lead to pain.

There is a Bursa (Bursa anserina), which is supposed to protect the knee joint.

By constant overload (through jogging or other sports, for example) this can happen Bursae inflamed. This disorder will too Pes anserinus syndrome or called pes anserine bursitis.

She can be in Pain, one swelling and Restriction in function of all three muscles attaching to the pes anserinus (besides the M. Sartorius also the M. gracilis and M. semitendinosus the hamstrings).

Possible therapy in the event of such symptoms, cool down, rest and take painkillers if necessary.

Risk factors for this bursitis are next Obesity a Misalignment in the knee joint ("Knock knees"). If it is not recognized or if therapy is inadequate, it can become chronic. Since this is very difficult to cure and can cause great pain, is one early treatment important.