Per Criswell 2011 Thigh Anterior Quasi-specific site

M. Sartorius

Sartorius (Sart L)

Electrode placement (Criswell 2011)

Proximal anterior thigh, approx. 4 cm distal to the anterior superior iliac spine; stay proximal to minimise crosstalk from the rectus femoris

OrientationOblique along the muscle course (from the ASIS medially and distally), 2 cm inter-electrode distance

Show on the 3D model Source: Criswell 2011 · Recording notes

Electrode position on the 3D model: M. Sartorius (muscle highlighted, sensor in place)

Preview — open the 3D viewer to rotate the model and check neighbouring muscles. View in 3D Viewer

Recording notes & source

per Criswell 2011, site „Hip Flexor (Sartorius)“, p. 361

Placement type: Quasi-specific site Neighbouring muscles contribute noticeably to the signal — allow for crosstalk.
Signal check: Supine: flex and externally rotate the thigh while flexing the knee.
Crosstalk from: rectus femoris · iliopsoas · adductor magnus

Source: Criswell 2011

Criswell E. Cram's Introduction to Surface Electromyography. 2nd ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2011. ISBN 978-0-7637-3274-5.

Methodological background of the source

Criswell (2011) — Cram's Introduction to Surface Electromyography, 2nd edition — is the standard textbook for surface EMG electrode placement beyond the SENIAM catalogue. Its atlas section (Part III) describes, for each site, palpation, electrode location with 2 cm spacing parallel to the fibres, a behavioural test and the neighbouring muscles from which crosstalk is to be expected. Cram's classifies the position used here as "quasi-specific" — the muscle cannot be fully separated from its neighbours at the surface. The position is established in practice but less validated than a SENIAM recommendation.

Based on SENIAM recommendations (Hermens et al. 2000). Not an official SENIAM product. See all references → · How electrodes are placed (guide) · Glossary

Go deeper Specific, Quasi-Specific, General — The Three Types of Surface EMG Placement → MVC Normalisation — Why Microvolts Alone Say Nothing → Why the Electrode Must Not Sit on the Innervation Zone →

All 49 muscle protocols as a PDF — free

Print-ready for the lab or clinic: 79 pages of protocols (SENIAM + peer-reviewed), plus the SENIAM table, a placement checklist and a sensor comparison sheet as A4 sheets.

Anatomy & Function

The M. Sartorius (Sartorius) is a muscle of the thigh anterior region. It is responsible for hip flexion, abduction and external rotation; knee flexion and internal rotation (longest muscle of the body). This muscle is not covered by the official SENIAM catalogue — placement is based on established clinical literature. This page documents the exact electrode position, anatomical attachments and a standardized test movement based on Hermens et al. (2000).

Function Hip flexion, abduction and external rotation; knee flexion and internal rotation (longest muscle of the body) Origin Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) Insertion Pes anserinus (proximal medial tibial surface) Innervation Femoral nerve, L2–L4

Innervation after Perotto AO, Anatomical Guide for the Electromyographer, 5th ed. 2011 — an anatomical reference, not an electrode placement recommendation.

Test Movement

Supine: flex and externally rotate the thigh while flexing the knee, against resistance

This muscle has no SENIAM-standardized electrode position. Placement should be based on anatomical knowledge.

Measure M. Sartorius activity live

The electrode is placed — what next? easyEMG visualises muscle activity in real time, with SENIAM-compliant placement guidance, up to 4 channels at once and biofeedback training right afterwards.

In rehabilitation, the Sartorius is typically recorded to track progress and retrain activation.

EMG biofeedback in physiotherapy → What is EMG biofeedback? PicoBlue sensors

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I place the EMG electrode on the M. Sartorius?

Proximal anterior thigh, approx. 4 cm distal to the anterior superior iliac spine; stay proximal to minimise crosstalk from the rectus femoris. Orientation: Oblique along the muscle course (from the ASIS medially and distally), 2 cm inter-electrode distance. Not covered by SENIAM — placement per Criswell 2011.

Which test movement activates the M. Sartorius?

Supine: flex and externally rotate the thigh while flexing the knee, against resistance. It serves as a signal check before recording: with correct electrode placement the EMG amplitude rises clearly during this movement.

Is the M. Sartorius a SENIAM-recommended muscle?

No. The M. Sartorius is not included in the official SENIAM catalogue. The electrode position documented here follows the established protocol per Criswell 2011.