Rubric for Muscle Palpation

When teaching muscle palpation , there is often a rubric that is followed . We begin by learning / knowing the attachments of the target muscle so that we know where to place our palpating fingers . We then ask the client to contract the muscle so that it hardens , thereby becoming more easily palpable . And if we can find a joint action of the target muscle that is different from the joint actions of adjacent musculature , our target muscle will be the only muscle that contracts and becomes , as I like to call it , the only hard , soft tissue amidst a sea of soft , soft tissues . This way , we can not only palpate it , but palpate and discern it from adjacent musculature . Once found , we can palpate the entirety of the muscle so that we can then assess it .

Pes anserine tendon

Sartorius

Gracilis

Patella

Semitendinosus

Iliacus

Anterior superior iliac spine ( ASIS )

Tibial tuberosity

Sacrum

Palpation of the Hip Flexors

This rubric is effective and can be used for any muscle anywhere in the body . It requires knowing the attachments and actions of the target muscle , as well as the attachments and actions of the adjacent musculature . If we apply this rubric to flexor musculature of the anterior hip joint , we could work our way from the tensor fasciae latae ( TFL ), laterally , to the adductor magnus , medially ( Image 1 ). With the client supine *, and palpating immediately distal to the inguinal ligament , we would carry out this palpation approach as follows .

Psoas minor

Psoas major

Sartorius

Pubic symphysis

Adductor longus

Adductor brevis

Gracilis

Adductor magnus

Rectus femoris

Image 1 . Hip flexor muscles of the anterior

thigh . A , Anterior view . B , Medial view

( proximal thigh only ).

Semitendinosus

Semimembranosus

140 | vol30 | no3 | JATMS