| Origin | Direct head: anterior aspect of the inferior iliac spine Indirect head: acetabular ridge |
| Insertion | Patellar ligament which inserts onto the tibial tuberosity |
| Action | Extends the knee Flexes the hip |
| Nerve | Femoral nerve |
| Artery | Femoral artery |
Location & Overview
The rectus femoris is located in the anterior compartment of the thigh. It is the most superficial of the quadricep muscles. The other quadricep muscles are the vastus medialis, vastus intermedius and the vastus lateralis. All four of the quadricep muscles converge into a single quadricep tendon which attaches to the patella [1].
Here we can see the rectus femoris from a superficial view.
Here we can see the rectus femoris muscle in isolation.
Origin & Insertion
The rectus femoris muscle has two heads of origin. The first is a direct (straight) head and the second is an indirect (reflected head). The origin of the direct head is the anterior aspect of the inferior iliac spine whereas the origin of the indirect head is the acetabular ridge [2].
The quadricep muscles converge to form a single tendon. This tendon’s fibres travel superficial to the patellar and then become continuous with the patellar ligament. This ligament inserts onto the tibial tuberosity. This tendon is the insertion of the rectus femoris [3].
Here we can see the two heads of origin of the rectus femoris. The direct head (originating at the anterior aspect of the inferior iliac spine) and the indirect head (originating at the acetabular ridge).
Here we can see the origins of the rectus femoris muscle. The direct head originates at the anterior aspect of the inferior iliac spine and the indirect head originates at the acetabular ridge.
Here we can see the insertion of the patellar ligament on the tibial tuberosity. The rectus femoris inserts into the patellar ligament.
Actions
The rectus femoris extends the knee and also assists in flexing the hip. The sartorius and iliopsoas work with the rectus femoris in flexing the hip. The rectus femoris is an antagonist of the hamstring muscles at both the hip and knee [4].
Innervation
The rectus femoris is innervated by the femoral nerve. The other three quadricep muscles (vastus medialis, vastus intermedius and the vastus lateralis) are also innervated by this nerve [5].
Blood Supply
Blood is supplied to the rectus femoris from the femoral artery. The other three quadricep muscles (vastus medialis, vastus intermedius and the vastus lateralis) also get their blood supply from the femoral artery[6].
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Rectus Femoris Flashcards
References
| ↑1, ↑5 | Murdock CJ, Mudreac A, Agyeman K. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Rectus Femoris Muscle. [Updated 2021 Aug 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539897/ |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Kumaravel M,Bawa P,Murai N, Magnetic resonance imaging of muscle injury in elite American football players: Predictors for return to play and performance. European journal of radiology. 2018 Nov PubMed PMID: 30396649 |
| ↑3 | Bordoni B,Varacallo M, Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Thigh Quadriceps Muscle. 2018 Jan PMID: 30020706 |
| ↑4, ↑6 | Bordoni B, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Thigh Quadriceps Muscle. 2021 Jul 22. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 30020706. |
