Your legs are able to move thanks in part to a complex network of muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones. Your legs move forward and upward via a group of muscles known as hip flexors. Although characterized generally, there are five main muscles in this group -- the iliopsoas, sartorius, tensor fascia latae, pectineus and the rectus femoris muscle. Your hip flexors are needed to perform tasks like walking and lifting your legs.
Iliopsoas
The iliopsoas is made up of two separate muscles called the psoas major and the iliacus. The psoas major originates in the lumbar area of the spine and attaches to your femur, or thigh bone. The iliacus attaches to your hip and your thigh and is found behind the psoas muscle. These muscles are responsible for pulling your leg toward your torso. According to a December 2009 study in the "Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association," the psoas may also help to flex the lumbar spine and is active during standing, forward bending and lifting, helping to stabilize the spine.
Sartorius
The sartorius is the longest muscle in your body, traversing the entire length of your thigh. It begins in the hip and attaches to the top of your shin bone. It works with other muscles in the hip flexors to flex the thigh, but it also abducts your leg or moves it away from your body. The sartorius is also a key player in rotating your thigh at the hip.
Tensor Fasciae Latae
Located on the outer portion of the thigh, the tensor fasciae latae begins in the pelvis and attaches to your tibia, or shin bone. Like the sartorius, it helps to abduct the thigh in addition to flexing your hip.
Pectineus
The pectineus is a small muscle, only ranging from the front part of the pubic bone to the top part of the back side of your femur. In contrast to the abduction of the above-mentioned muscles, the pectineus' additional job is to adduct, or move your thigh inward.
Rectus Femoris
The rectus femoris in the most anterior-oriented muscle in your thigh. It is the muscle you touch if you rub the front of your leg. In addition to being part of the hip flexors, it is also included in the quadricep muscle group. It begins in the hip and attaches, via the quadriceps tendon, to the base of your knee cap and then to your tibia. It helps move your thigh toward your torso and also works to extend your lower leg.
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