The hip flexors are composed of the iliacus, psoas, sartorius, and pectineus. The iliacus and the psoas are both flexors of the thigh in relation to the torso and receive blood supply from the lumbar branch of the iliopsoas of the internal iliac artery. Innervation to the iliacus is by the muscular branch of the femoral nerve (L1 through L3) while the direct fibers of L1 innervate the psoas through L3 lumbar plexus. The sartorius is unique in that it flexes and laterally rotates the hip joint and flexes the knee, is innervated by the femoral nerve (L2 through L4) and receives blood supply by the muscular branches of the femoral artery. The pectineus is also unique as it adducts the thigh and flexes the hip, is usually innervated by the femoral nerve but is sometimes innervated by the obturator nerve. Its blood supply is from the medial circumflex femoral branch of the femoral and obturator artery.

The four muscles in the extensor group are the vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris. All 4 function to extend the knee but the rectus femoris is also an accessory flexor of the hip.  All muscles in this group are innervated by the L2 through L4 branches of the femoral nerve, and the lateral femoral circumflex artery supplies all muscles in this group except for vastus medialis which receives its blood supply from the femoral artery, profunda femoris artery, and superior medial genicular branch of the popliteal artery.[5]

The next group of muscles located laterally on the thigh is the hip abductors. This group of muscles is composed of the gluteus minimus, medius, and maximus and the tensor fascia lata. All of the gluteal muscles function as abductors of the thigh. The gluteus maximus also extends the hip, assists in lateral rotation of the thigh and is innervated by the inferior gluteal nerve (L5, S1, S2). This muscle belly is supplied by the superior and inferior gluteal arteries and the first perforating branch of the profundal femoris artery. With the gluteus medius, the anterior fibers rotate the hip medially, and the posterior fibers rotate the hip laterally. The superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1) is the innervating nerve, and the superior gluteal artery is the blood supply. The gluteus minimus has the same innervation and blood supply as the medius but with the additional function of medially rotating the hip. The tensor fascia lata differs in that its main function is stabilization of the hip and knee joints. Innervation is by the superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1) and blood supply is by the superior gluteal and lateral femoral circumflex artery.

The adductors of the thigh are the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, and gracillis. The longus, brevis and magnus all adduct and flex the thigh. The longus and brevis rotate the hip joint laterally and share the blood supply of the obturator a and medial circumflex femoral arteries. The longus is unique in that it is innervated by the anterior division of obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4). The unique feature of the adductor brevis is that the innervation can be from either the anterior or posterior division of the obturator nerve. The adductor magnus differs as it is considered the most powerful adductor of the thigh, the superior horizontal fibers flex the thigh, while the vertical fibers extend the thigh. The magnus is also different due to dual innervation and different blood supply. A majority of the magnus is innervated by the obturator nerve while the vertical (hamstring) portion is innervated by the tibial nerve (L2 through L4). The magnus blood supply is from the medial circumflex femoral artery, inferior gluteal artery, first through fourth perforating arteries, obturator artery, and some superior muscular branches of the popliteal artery. The gracilis medially rotates the tibia on the femur and flexes the knee. Innervation is by the anterior division of the obturator nerve (L2, L3) and receives its blood supply from the obturator artery, medial circumflex artery and muscular branches of the profundal femoris artery.

The hamstrings is composed of the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, long and short head of the biceps, all of which flex the knee. Both heads of the biceps femoris also rotate the tibia laterally. The long head additionally extends the hip. The semitendinosus and semimembranosus have the functions of extending the thigh and rotating the tibia medially, especially when the knee is flexed.[6][7] All of the hamstring muscles except the short head of the biceps femoris are innervated by the tibial nerve (L5, S1, S2) which is innervated by the common peroneal nerve. Blood supply to all four muscles is from the perforating branches of profunda femoris artery, inferior gluteal artery, and the superior muscular branches of the popliteal artery.

Understanding the anatomy of the thigh is of utmost importance in the surgical setting for several reasons. Many of the approaches of the thigh are through intramuscular planes. Operating safely through these planes minimizes neurovascular injury during the perioperative period.  If a complication does occur, understanding the anatomy allows the clinician to quickly identify the area of pathology.[8] Understanding the origins and insertions of the different muscles give the surgeon the knowledge to identify the appropriate tendinous portion of muscle utilized for grafts to prevent morbidity as several muscles of the thigh are used for graft reconstruction of the ACL.[7] From an anesthesia perspective, peripheral nerve blocks are often performed during surgery to minimize pain postoperatively. It is imperative that the correct nerve is identified to minimize patient discomfort and optimize pain control.

Understanding the anatomy of the thigh can assist the physician in identifying pathology during a physical exam.  As part of the comprehensive history and physical examination, understanding specific muscle function and actions aids the clinician in identifying and differentiating isolated/focal injuries from more widespread of systemic conditions. The latter ranges from peripheral nerve entrapment, spinal conditions and pathologies (i.e. radiculopathy with associated nerve root compression(s)), and medically-relevant medical conditions (i.e. genetic conditions, diabetes, neuropathy, or inflammatory conditions)