Third head of rectus femoris
Caput tertium musculi recti femoris
- Synonym: Capsular head of rectus femoris
Definition
The third head of the rectus femoris (capsular head) is an anatomical variant of proximal insertion of the rectus femoris characterized by a separate tendon slip arising from the anterior femoral capsule. This capsular head is distinct from the more commonly recognized straight (direct) and reflected (indirect) heads of the rectus femoris muscle. The presence of this third head has been corroborated by imaging studies, although its clinical relevance remains to be fully established.
References
1.The Capsular Head of the Proximal Rectus Femoris Muscle: A Review of the Imaging Anatomy of Proximal Muscle Injury in Professional Athletes - Early Experience.Armstrong T, Pass B, O'Connor P.The British Journal of Radiology. 2022;95(1136):20220278. doi:10.1259/bjr.20220278.
