Rectus Femoris

The rectus femoris is a muscle in the anterior compartment of the thigh. It forms part of the quadriceps femoris muscle complex, and is the only muscle in this group to cross both the hip joint and the knee joints.

• Attachments:
  • One head originates from the anterior inferior iliac spine and other from the supra-acetabular groove (of the ilium).
  • The two heads converge into one tendon which inserts onto the patella via the quadriceps femoris tendon.
  • The patella is then attached to the tibial tuberosity by the patella ligament.
• Actions: Extension of the knee joint and flexion of the hip joint.
• Innervation: Femoral nerve
• Blood Supply: Femoral artery and lateral femoral circumflex artery

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2025)

Fig 1
The muscles of the anterior thigh.