Rectus Femoris

Description

Normal anatomy of the rectus femoris muscle. The direct head (green) originates at the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS), while the indirect head (yellow) originates at the superolateral aspect of the acetabulum. Both heads join to form the conjoint tendon just distal to the AIIS, and each contributes to the muscle substance (red) more distally.

The different muscles in the quadriceps. The vastus intermedius is not visible from the front view. On the left: Original image is extracted from Gray and Lewis (1918). On the right: T1W MRI of a right leg from MUST dataset.

Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), Medial patellomenisceal ligament (MPML), Medial patellotibial ligamente (MPTL), Medial retinaculum (MR), Vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), Rectus femoris (RF), Medial collateral ligament (MCL).

Origin

• Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine and superior part of acetabulum

Insertion

• Patella via quadriceps tendon

Actions

• Primarily, extension of Knee
• Contributes to flexion of the Hip

Vascular Supply

• Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery

Innervation

• Femoral Nerve

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Clinical Significance

Part of the Quadriceps Femoris

• Rectus Femoris
• Vastus Lateralis
• Vastus Intermedius
• Vastus Medialis

Pathology

• Quad Strain
• Quad Tendinitis
• Quad Contusion
• Acute Compartment Syndrome
• Rectus Femoris Muscle Injuries

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See Also

• Thigh Anatomy Main
• Hip Pain Main
• Knee Pain Main

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