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Quadratus Femoris Muscle Anatomy

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Origin
  • Ischial tuberosity
Insertion
  • Quadrate tubercle and just below it
Action
  • Hip lateral rotation
  • Hip stabilization
Innervation
  • Nerve to quadratus femoris (L5, S1)
Blood Supply
  • Inferior gluteal artery (main)
  • Medial circumflex femoral artery (supplemental)
Last updated: Estimated Reading Time: 5 min

Location & Overview

The quadratus femoris muscle is a relatively flat, quadrilateral-shaped muscle that is located deep in the gluteal region. The posterior surface of the quadratus femoris is deep to the gluteus maximus muscle. The quadratus femoris also sits inferior to the gemellus muscles and the obturator internus, and it is superior to the adductor magnus. As one of the six deep lateral rotators of the thigh, the primary roles of the quadratus femoris are to laterally rotate and stabilize the hip joint. The six primary deep lateral rotator muscles of the thigh are the piriformis, superior gemellus, obturator internus, inferior gemellus, quadratus femoris, and obturator externus.[1,2]

Quadratus femoris muscle, posterior view
Here, we can see the quadratus femoris muscle from a posterior view.
Deep six hip external/lateral rotators
Pictured here are the deep six hip external rotator muscles: the piriformis, gemellus superior, gemellus inferior, obturator internus, obturator externus, and quadratus femoris. These muscles play an important role in stabilizing the hip joint and facilitating hip lateral rotation.

Origin & Insertion

The quadratus femoris muscle originates on the lateral aspect of the pelvis and inserts onto the posterior side of the femur. The specific origin point on the pelvis is the ischial tuberosity. The ischial tuberosity is a prominent bony structure that can be felt when sitting on a hard surface. The ischial tuberosity is located on the ischium, one of the three major bones that make up the pelvic bone. Specifically, the quadratus femoris arises from the upper part of the lateral border of the ischial tuberosity. The insertion point on the femur is the quadrate tubercle. The quadrate tubercle is a small raised area located on the intertrochanteric crest. The intertrochanteric crest is a bony ridge on the posterior side of the femur, connecting the greater and lesser trochanters. Additionally, the muscle also inserts into an area just below the quadrate tubercle on the femur.[1,2]

Quadratus femoris origin marked in red
Here, we can see the origin of the quadratus femoris muscle marked in red on the ischial tuberosity.
Quadratus femoris insertion marked in blue
Here, we can see the insertion of the quadratus femoris muscle marked in blue on the quadrate tubercle and just below it.

Action & Function

Contraction of the quadratus femoris produces lateral rotation, also known as external rotation, of the thigh at the hip joint. This action rotates the leg so the knee turns outward. In addition to rotation, the quadratus femoris assists in stabilizing the hip joint as one of the deep lateral rotators of the thigh.[1,2]

Image of a person demonstrating the movement of external rotation.
This image demonstrates hip external rotation, where the leg rotates outward (laterally) from the hip joint. External rotation is also referred to as lateral rotation. The opposite of external rotation is internal rotation (medial rotation). External rotation of the hip joint is the primary action of the quadratus femoris muscle, and it also assists with stabilization of the hip joint.

Innervation

The quadratus femoris is innervated by the nerve to quadratus femoris, which originates from the L5 and S1 spinal nerves. This nerve leaves the pelvis via the greater sciatic foramen. The nerve to quadratus femoris also passes over the posterior surface of the hip joint, anterior to the sciatic nerve and obturator internus muscle, to reach the deep surface of the quadratus femoris muscle. The nerve to quadratus femoris also supplies the gemellus inferior muscle.[1,2]

Nerve to quadratus femoris
This image shows the nerve to quadratus femoris, which innervates the quadratus femoris muscle.

Blood Supply

The main arterial supply to the quadratus femoris is via the inferior gluteal artery, which exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen inferior to the piriformis muscle. Additionally, small branches from the medial circumflex femoral artery reach the superficial surface of the muscle.[1,2]

References

  1. [1] Standring S, Anand N, Gray H. Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2020.
  2. [2] Dalley AF II, Agur AMR. Moore’s Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2022.

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