List of flexors of the human body

Human anatomy

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v t e

For the genus of fish, see Flexor incus."Flexer" redirects here. For people with the surname, see Flexer (surname).

In anatomy, flexor is a muscle that contracts to perform flexion (from the Latin verb flectere, to bend), a movement that decreases the angle between the bones converging at a joint. For example, one's elbow joint flexes when one brings their hand closer to the shoulder, thus decreasing the angle between the upper arm and the forearm.

Flexors

Upper limb

of the humerus bone (the bone in the upper arm) at the shoulder
of the forearm at the elbow
of carpus (the carpal bones) at the wrist
of the hand

Lower limb

Hip

The hip flexors are (in descending order of importance to the action of flexing the hip joint):

Collectively known as the iliopsoas or inner hip muscles:
- Psoas major
- Iliacus muscle
Anterior compartment of thigh
- Rectus femoris (part of the quadriceps muscle group)
- Sartorius
One of the gluteal muscles:
- Tensor fasciae latae
Medial compartment of thigh

Without the iliopsoas muscles, flexion in sitting position is not possible across the horizontal plane.

Thigh

of thigh at knee (L5-S2)
- Biceps femoris
- Semitendinosus
- Semimembranosus
- Gracilis
- Sartorius
- Gastrocnemius
- Popliteus
- Plantaris (negligible)

Other

References

Anderson, Kenneth N.; et al., eds. (1994). Mosby's Medical, Nursing, & Allied Health Dictionary (4th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book. p. 624. ISBN 9780801672255. OCLC 312496360.
^ Platzer (2004), p 246
Knee Articulations
Foot Articulations

v t e Joints
Types	Fibrous Gomphosis Suture Syndesmosis Interosseous membrane Cartilaginous Synchondrosis Symphysis synovial: Plane joint 1° Hinge joint Pivot joint 2° Condyloid joint Saddle joint 3° Ball and socket joint synostosis by range of motion: Synarthrosis Amphiarthrosis Diarthrosis
Terminology	Kinesiology Anatomical terms of motion Agonist/Antagonist
Motions	general: Flexion/Extension Adduction/Abduction Internal rotation/External rotation Elevation/Depression specialized/upper limbs: Protraction/Retraction Supination/Pronation specialized/lower limbs: Plantarflexion/Dorsiflexion Eversion/Inversion
Components	capsular: Joint capsule Synovial membrane Fibrous membrane Synovial fluid Synovial bursa Articular disk/Meniscus extracapsular: Ligament Enthesis

Category:

Anatomical terms of motion