Rectus femoris muscle
Musculus rectus femoris
- Related terms: Rectus femoris
Definition
Rectus femoris muscle (muscle group: Anterior compartment of thigh) | |
Origin | Straight head: Anterior inferior iliac spine Reflected head: Superior rim of acetabulum (on the outer aspect of ilium) |
Insertion | Patella via the tendon of quadriceps femoris and tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament |
Artery | Femoral artery |
Innervation | Femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4) |
Action | Knee extension; hip flexion |
Antagonist | Hamstring |
The rectus femoris is one of the four quadriceps femoris muscles located in the anterior compartment of the thigh. It is the only quadriceps muscle that crosses both the hip and knee joints, enabling it to flex the hip and extend the knee. It lies anterior to vastus intermedius, and is flanked laterally by vastus lateralis and medially by vastus medialis.
The rectus femoris muscle Joins the other quadriceps muscles to form the quadriceps tendon, which attaches to the base of the patella. From there, the patellar ligament continues to insert on the tibial tuberosity.
References
Murdock CJ, Mudreac A, Agyeman K. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Rectus Femoris Muscle. [Updated 2023 Nov 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539897/
