Which muscles are considered hip flexors?

The rectus femoris and sartorius are indeed integral to hip flexion, making them crucial hip flexor muscles. The rectus femoris, one of the quadriceps group, acts to flex the hip while also extending the knee. The sartorius is the longest muscle in the human body, running from the anterior superior iliac spine to the medial side of the tibia, and it functions to flex, abduct, and laterally rotate the hip. Both muscles play vital roles in movements like sitting, walking, and running, where hip flexion is necessary.

Understanding why the other options do not fit as hip flexors helps clarify their functions. The quadriceps and hamstrings involve knee actions, with the hamstrings actually acting as hip extensors. The gluteus maximus is primarily a hip extensor, contributing power for movements like standing up from a seated position, while the tensor fasciae latae assists in abduction and stabilization. The adductors and pectineus, although related to hip movement, mainly serve functions related to adduction rather than flexion.