What muscle is referred to as the tailor's muscle?

The muscle referred to as the tailor's muscle is the sartorius. This designation comes from the sartorius's role in positioning the leg in a way that is reminiscent of a tailor sitting cross-legged while working. The sartorius is the longest muscle in the human body and runs down the length of the thigh. It assists in several movements, including flexion, abduction, and lateral rotation of the hip. This multi-functional ability makes it vital in activities such as squatting and sitting cross-legged, which is why it earned its nickname.

In contrast, the other muscles listed have different primary functions. The rectus femoris is primarily involved in extending the knee and flexing the hip. The adductor longus is mainly responsible for adducting the thigh. The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) is a neck muscle that plays a critical role in rotating and flexing the head rather than functioning in leg movement. Therefore, the sartorius is uniquely tied to the action and position associated with tailoring, which directly influences its nickname.