Quadratus femoris muscle
Musculus quadratus femoris
- Related terms: Quadratus femoris
Definition
The quadratus femoris muscle is a flat, quadrilateral muscle located in the gluteal region of the hip. It originates from the lateral border of the ischial tuberosity and inserts on the quadrate tubercle on the intertrochanteric crest of the femur and the area just inferior to it. This muscle is one of the six short external rotators of the hip, and its primary function is to laterally rotate the femur and stabilize the hip joint.
Origin: Ischial tuberosity
Insertion: quadrate tubercle on intertrochanteric crest
Artery: Inferior gluteal artery
Nerve: Nerve to quadratus femoris (L4, L5, -S1)
Action: Lateral rotation of thigh
Muscle group: Deep gluteal muscles; Lateral rotators of thigh; Short external rotators of the hip
Description: The Quadratus femoris is a flat, quadrilateral muscle, between the Gemellus inferior and the upper margin of the Adductor magnus; it is separated from the latter by the terminal branches of the medial femoral circumflex vessels. It arises from the upper part of the external border of the tuberosity of the ischium, and is inserted onto the quadrate tubercle (the upper part of the linea quadrata that is, the line which extends vertically downward from the intertrochanteric crest). A bursa is often found between the front of this muscle and the lesser trochanter.
References
1.MRI of the Quadratus Femoris Muscle: Anatomic Considerations and Pathologic Lesions.Kassarjian A, Tomas X, Cerezal L, Canga A, Llopis E.AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2011;197(1):170-4. doi:10.2214/AJR.10.5898.
2. This definition incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy (20th U.S. edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, published in 1918 – from http://www.bartleby.com/107/).