sartorius

The sartorius is a long, strap-like muscle located in the anterior thigh. It originates from the anterior superior iliac spine and runs obliquely across the thigh to insert on the medial aspect of the tibia at the pes anserinus. The muscle crosses both the hip and knee joints, and its actions span multiple joints. It assists in hip flexion, hip abduction, and lateral rotation, and also contributes to knee flexion. Because it can coordinate movements at two joints, it is involved in actions such as sitting with legs crossed and in certain athletic movements that require diagonal thigh motion.

The name sartorius comes from Latin sartorius, meaning "tailor," a reference to the cross-legged posture traditionally associated with tailors. In anatomy, the term identifies this particular muscle and, by extension, related musculoskeletal terms.

Sartorius AG is a German multinational corporation that manufactures laboratory equipment and consumables for scientific and biopharmaceutical use. The company produces products for laboratory filtration, bioprocessing, and related technologies and operates globally through a network of subsidiaries, partners, and distributors. It is named after the family surname that originated the business and is distinct from the anatomical term, though the two share the same root.

As a surname, Sartorius appears in various individuals and families of German or European origin, and it has been adopted by people in academia, business, and other fields.