what are lateral rotators

The lateral rotator group is a group of six small muscles of the hip which all externally (laterally) rotate the femur in the hip joint. It consists of the following muscles: piriformis

, gemellus superior, obturator internus, gemellus inferior, quadratus femoris and the obturator externus.

Full Answer

What are the lateral rotator muscles?

Lateral rotator group. The lateral rotator group is a group of six small muscles of the hip which all externally (laterally) rotate the femur in the hip joint. It consists of the following muscles: Piriformis, gemellus superior, obturator internus, gemellus inferior, quadratus femoris and the obturator externus.

How many lateral rotators do you have?

Individually they are small, but together they are quite powerful. We covered one of the deep six lateral rotators, the piriformis, already. While you may not have heard of each of these muscle names, the group is an important one to consider in yoga.

What are the Deep Six lateral rotators?

The deep six lateral rotators are a group of muscles that move the hip. Individually they are small, but together they are quite powerful.

What is the lateral rotator group of the hip?

The lateral rotator group is a group of six small muscles of the hip which all externally (laterally) rotate the femur in the hip joint.

What muscles are lateral rotators?

0:053:52Hip Muscles - Lateral Rotator Group & Gluteus Muscles - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn this lesson I will illustrate the lateral rotators of muscles for you and the lateral rotatorsMoreIn this lesson I will illustrate the lateral rotators of muscles for you and the lateral rotators root is a group of six small muscles of the hip. Which all externally rotate the femur in the hip

What are lateral hip rotators?

The lateral rotator group is a group of six small muscles of the hip which all externally (laterally) rotate the femur in the hip joint. It consists of the following muscles: piriformis, gemellus superior, obturator internus, gemellus inferior, quadratus femoris and the obturator externus.

What is lateral rotation of shoulder?

Keeping your elbows against your body swing your forearms away from your body. This is lateral rotation — also referred to as external rotation — and the normal range of motion for a healthy shoulder is 90 degrees.

Which muscle is a lateral rotator of the arm?

infraspinatusThe infraspinatus is a powerful lateral rotator of the humerus. The tendon of this muscle is sometimes separated from the capsule of the glenohumeral joint by a bursa.

How do you strengthen lateral rotators?

Exercise 1: ClamshellLie on your left side with your legs stacked. ... Use your left arm to prop up your head. ... Keeping your feet together, move your right knee upward as high as you can, opening your legs. ... Pause with your right knee lifted, then return your right leg to the starting position.Repeat 20 to 30 times.More items...•

How do you work lateral rotators?

2:0311:46Improve Hip External Rotation with these 3 Exercises - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI look the other way. And keep getting more internal rotation as I'm getting more spine rotationMoreI look the other way. And keep getting more internal rotation as I'm getting more spine rotation this way hold for slow 360.

What is lateral rotation example?

0:132:19Rotation Anatomy Body Movement Term | Arm, Thigh, Head ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBody movement i like to picture a screw turning to either the right or the left as that is basicallyMoreBody movement i like to picture a screw turning to either the right or the left as that is basically the same kind of motion that can occur in the body with this movement rotation can occur at the

What is the difference between lateral and medial rotation?

Think of that movement as rotating the arm toward the midline of the body, hence the name medial rotation. Reverse that motion, moving the shoulder to return to anatomical position, and you have just done lateral rotation.

What causes lateral rotation?

The sartorius, pectineus, obturator internus and externus, both gemelli, the gluteal group (maximus, medius, minimus), piriformis and quadratus femoris are the most significant contributors to lateral rotation (Visible Body 2019).

Is deltoid a lateral rotator?

In contrast to anterior fibers, the scapular spinal (posterior) fibers of deltoid act with the latissimus dorsi to produce extension of the arm during ambulation. In addition, these fibers will assist in external (or lateral) rotation of the humerus.

Is Sartorius a lateral rotator?

Function. The sartorius muscle can move the hip joint and the knee joint, but all of its actions are weak, making it a synergist muscle. At the hip, it can flex, weakly abduct, and laterally rotate the femur. At the knee, it can flex the leg; when the knee is flexed, sartorius medially rotates the leg.

What are the lateral hip muscles?

The lateral hip muscles (gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fascia latae) are important muscles for movement in the body, but not in the way that we often think about muscles and movement.

What are the rotators of the hip?

There are five muscles found in the deep gluteal region known as the short external rotators of the hip joint. They include the piriformis, superior and inferior gemelli, obturator internus, and quadratus femoris.

What is lateral rotation example?

0:132:19Rotation Anatomy Body Movement Term | Arm, Thigh, Head ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBody movement i like to picture a screw turning to either the right or the left as that is basicallyMoreBody movement i like to picture a screw turning to either the right or the left as that is basically the same kind of motion that can occur in the body with this movement rotation can occur at the

How do you fix a lateral hip rotation?

You can try these exercises at home to help correct a lateral pelvic tilt.Reverse leg raises. This exercise will help strengthen your gluteus muscles and improve hip mobility. ... Reverse standing leg raises. This exercise will strengthen your gluteus muscles and improve your balance. ... Hip hike. ... Clamshell. ... Hip adduction.

What is the lateral rotator group?

Lateral rotator group. The lateral rotator group is a group of six small muscles of the hip which all externally (laterally) rotate the femur in the hip joint. It consists of the following muscles: Piriformis, gemellus superior, obturator internus, gemellus inferior, quadratus femoris and the obturator externus.

Where do the lateral rotator muscles originate?

All muscles in the lateral rotator group originate from the hip bone and insert on to the upper extremity of the femur. The muscles are innervated by the sacral plexus ( L4 - S2 ), except the obturator externus muscle, which is innervated by the lumbar plexus.

Which muscle group rotates the femur?

The lateral rotator group is a group of six small muscles of the hip which all externally (laterally) rotate the femur in the hip joint. It consists of the following muscles: Piriformis, gemellus superior, obturator internus, gemellus inferior, quadratus femoris and the obturator externus.

What do the names of the deep six lateral rotators mean?

The names of these muscles refer to the fact that they work together as a pair. Gemellus comes from the word “geminus” which means twin or doubled, like gemini. Superior is Latin for above. As you might expect, gemellus superior is found higher on the body than gemellus inferior. In contrast, inferior is Latin for below. So, you might guess that gemellus inferior is found lower on the body than gemellus superior.

How many lateral rotators contract in Urdhva Dhanurasana?

The deep six lateral rotators contract in urdhva dhanurasana. But, don’t let them overpower the adductors!

What is the name of the muscle that attaches to the outside surface of the obturator fora?

Obturator refers to the muscles attachment on the obturator foramen and externus is Latin for outward. So, obturator externus attaches on the outside surface of the obturator foramen. Internus is Latin for within, so as you might guess, obturator internus attaches on the internal surface of the obturator foramen.

Where does the obturator originate?

Origins. Gemellus superior and gemellus inferior originate together on the ischial spine. Obturator externus originates on the external surface of the obturator foramen. (The obturator foramen is a hole created by the bones of the pelvis.) Obturator internus originates on the internal surface of the obturator foramen.

Which lateral rotator muscles are considered a group?

The deep six lateral rotator muscles are often discussed as a group because they have the same primary action and they generally function together. We’ve already covered one of the deep six lateral rotator muscles, the piriformis muscle in a separate post.

How many lateral rotators are there in the human body?

Researchers are still exploring whether some of these muscles also assist with other movements. As all of the deep six lateral rotators are located deep to at least one other muscle, it makes it more difficult to insert the electrodes for electromyography (EMG), which are typically used in the laboratory to determine muscle action.

Where are the deep six lateral rotator muscles located?

All six of the muscles in this group originate somewhere on the pelvis and run laterally across the pelvis to attach to the greater trochanter. Let’s get more specific about the attachments for each of these muscles.

What is the function of the deep six lateral rotators?

The overall job of the deep six lateral rotators is to keep the “ball” of the ball and socket joint (the greater trochanter of the femur) in the “socket” (the acetabulum of the pelvis) when we are walking, running or doing other movements (Yoo et al., 2015). Specifically, all six of these muscles laterally rotate the femur at the hip joint.

Where does the obturator internus originate?

The obturator internus originates on the internal surface of the obturator foramen.

Which obturator is responsible for abduction of the thigh?

Some researchers suggest that obturator internus gemellus inferior, and possibly gemellus superior, can assist with abduction of the thigh if the hip joint is flexed (Chaitow and DeLany, 2011; Yoo et al., 2015). Piriformis may also assist in abduction of the thigh when the hip is flexed and recent EMG analysis also suggests that it may contribute to extension of the hip (Yoo et al., 2015). Some researchers are now finding that quadratus femoris and obturator externus may assist with adduction of the thigh, depending on what position the leg is in (Yoo et al., 2015).

Which group contributes to lateral rotation?

The sartorius, pectineus, obturator internus and externus, both gemelli, the gluteal group (maximus, medius, minimus), piriformis and quadratus femoris are the most significant contributors to lateral rotation (Visible Body 2019). It is important to note that other sources have suggested some contribution from the psoas muscles.

Where is the obturator externus located?

Obturator externus. The obturator externus’ origins are partially from the obturator membrane and primarily on the medial side of the obturator foramen. Its triangular shape covers the outer surface of the anterior pelvis (main and inferior surface of rami). Its flat body travels along the pelvis, beneath the acetabulum ...

What is the range of motion of the hip?

The range of motion has been estimated to be between 10-55° with a mean approximately at 32-34° (Roaas & Andersson 1982, Cheatham et al. 2017). The sartorius, pectineus, obturator internus and externus, both gemelli, the gluteal group (maximus, medius, minimus), piriformis and quadratus femoris are the most significant contributors to lateral rotation (Visible Body 2019). It is important to note that other sources have suggested some contribution from the psoas muscles.

Which body part has multiple functions?

Several muscles in the pelvic region have multiple functions and have been briefly discussed in other Kevin Orthopedic summaries.

Is lateral rotation important in ambulation?

Author: Kevin B. Rosenbloom, C.Ped, Sports Biomechanist. Lateral rotation at the hip joint may not seem vital at first inspection, but is definitely important in ambulation. This summary will briefly discuss hip lateral rotation, explore the muscle bodies that contribute to this movement and give some insight into the intriguing research about ...

What is the function of the rotatores?

As a result, the rotatores function as stabilizers, extensors and rotators of the spine.

What is the role of the rotatores in the spine?

However, the rotatores muscles occupy positions of very poor mechanical leverage and studies have shown a minimal contribution of the rotatores towards spine movements. Instead, they function as important stabilizers of the vertebral column, acting as extensible ligaments that adjust their length to support adjacent vertebrae.More details about the rotatores and deep muscles of the back are provided below:

What muscle group is the rotatores?

Being a part of transversospinal muscle group along with semispinalis and multifidus, rotatores comprise the deep layer of deep, or intrinsic, muscles of the back. They can be divided regionally into rotatores colli/cervicis, rotatores thoracis and rotatores lumborum.

Which subtype of rotatores is the most important?

As rotatores colli and lumborum are quite inconsistent and often missing, rotatores thoracis are the most important sub-type acting on the spine. Bilateral contraction results in extension of the vertebral column, while unilateral (one sided) contraction causes contralateral rotation of the thoracic spine.

Where are the Rotatores thoracis located?

Rotatores thoracis are small, quadrilateral muscles located between thoracic vertebrae. There are eleven pairs of muscles usually, but some may be absent at either end of the thoracic spine. They are attached as follows:

Which rotatores are the most developed?

Rotatores colli and lumborum are often inconsistent, and can be replaced by deep fibers of the multifidus. As rotatores thoracis are the most developed, the emphasis is placed on them during your anatomy classes and in standard textbooks.

Where do long rotators originate?

Long rotators (rotatores longi): Originate from the transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae and insert into the bases of spinous processes and laminae of thoracic vertebrae located two levels above.

Which muscles are involved in lateral rotation?

The biceps femoris long and short head muscles are the main contributors to lateral rotation and the sartorius, gracilis and popliteus muscles are the main contributors to medial rotation (Visible Body 2019). However, in order to observe the range of motion (ROM) of the tibial rotation it is recommended to place a patient’s hips ...

What is medial rotation?

Introduction. Medial and lateral rotation at the knee joint is the inward or outward rotation of the tibia in relation to the femur. This motion also can contribute to the abduction or adduction of the foot. The biceps femoris long and short head muscles are the main contributors to lateral rotation and the sartorius, ...

Does flexion affect rotation?

During an experiment, researchers noted that an increase in rotation is directly affected by an increase in flexion (Mossberg & Smith 1983). However, the literature Mossberg & Smith present reveals this area of research has not been solidified. The authors also mention that there is no determined consensus in whether individuals experience greater, lesser or equal ROMs for medial or lateral rotation. In the study presented by Mossberg & Smith, a sample size taken from a group of female students displayed a mean of 27.8° of lateral rotation with a more flexible individual reaching up to 43° when the knee was flexed at 90°. The study also stated that when a patient’s knee was flexed at 90°, a mean of 12.6° for medial rotation was noted, with a more flexible individual reaching up to 28°.

What muscle is responsible for lateral rotation of the arm?

Infraspinatus is the main muscle responsible for lateral rotation of your arm away from the centerline of your body. It’s a thick triangular muscle. It covers the back of your shoulder blade deep below the skin and close to the bone.

What muscles are involved in the rotator cuff?

Four muscles make up the rotator cuff: the subscapularis, teres minor, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus. Together they assist in stabilizing the shoulder joint as well as in performing various arm movements.

What muscles hold your arm in place?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that hold your upper arm in place in your shoulder. It helps you make all the motions of your arm and shoulder.

How long does it take for a rotator cuff tear to heal?

Most people regain their range of motion and strength after 4 to 6 months.

What is partial tear of the rotator cuff?

Partial tears of the rotator cuff tendons. The tendon is damaged or frayed but isn’t torn away from the bone.

Where do the muscles in the shoulder originate?

All four muscles originate in your shoulder blade, but the other end of the muscle leads to different parts of your upper arm bone.

Can rotator cuff tendons cause bone spurs?

Bone spurs. These can form when rotator cuff tendons rub on the shoulder bones. Bone spurs don’t always cause a rotator cuff injury.

Which muscle is the most powerful external rotator?

The gluteus maximus , which is a large muscle in the buttocks, is the most powerful external rotator muscle of the hip. Two individual muscles called the psoas major and the iliacus form the iliopsoas muscle. These muscles are separate in the abdomen, but they join together in the thigh.

Why are my external rotators weak?

The external rotator muscles can become weak due to injury, surgery, or prolonged periods of inactivity. Weakness in these muscles increases the risk of injury. In this article, we describe several exercises and stretches that people can use to build strength and flexibility in the hip external rotators.

How to keep hip rotators strong?

Regular exercise can keep the hip external rotators strong and flexible. There are 21 different muscles that cross the hip joint. Each of these muscles plays a role in the movement or stability of the hip. Some of the most important hip muscles include:

Why is it important to keep your hip rotator strong?

Keeping the hip external rotators strong and flexible can reduce the risk of injury during workouts or everyday tasks. Research. Trusted Source. also links hip external rotator strength to better control of the lower extremities during single-leg landings. Some exercises for hip external rotation include:

How to sit in a chair?

Sit in a chair with the back straight and against the back of the chair.

Overview

Other lateral rotators

This group does not include all muscles which aid in lateral rotation of the hip joint: rather it is a collection of ones which are known for primarily performing this action. Other muscles that contribute to lateral rotation of the hip include:
• Gluteus maximus muscle (lower fibres)
• Gluteus medius muscle and gluteus minimus muscle when the hip is flexed (become medial rotators when hip is extended)

Additional images

See also

External links