Anterior compartment of thigh
Compartimentum anterius femoris
- Latin synonym: Compartimentum extensorium femoris
- Synonym: Extensor compartment of thigh
Definition
The anterior compartment of thigh contains the primary knee extensors and hip flexors. Its muscles include the articularis genu, sartorius, quadriceps femoris group—Rectus femoris, Vastus lateralis, Vastus intermedius, and Vastus medialis.
These muscles, along with the pectineus from the medial compartment, are innervated by the femoral nerve. Although the iliopsoas is sometimes grouped with the anterior compartment muscles, its components differ in innervation: the iliacus receives femoral nerve supply, while the psoas major is innervated by the ventral rami of L1 to L3 spinal nerves (direct branches of the lumbar plexus).
References
Khan A, Arain A. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Anterior Thigh Muscles. [Updated 2023 Mar 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538425/
