CorpusHuman Anatomy
MuscularMuscle

Rectus femoris

Musculus rectus femoris

Also known as: kicking muscle

The only part of the quadriceps that crosses the hip. This bipennate muscle flexes the hip and extends the knee, as in kicking a ball.

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Overview

Rectus femoris has a straight (direct) head from the anterior inferior iliac spine and a reflected (indirect) head from the ilium just above the acetabulum. The two heads unite into a fusiform, bipennate belly running straight down the middle of the thigh, superficial to vastus intermedius, to the quadriceps tendon and patella. Because it crosses both joints, it is most effective at extending the knee when the hip is extended, and at flexing the hip when the knee is flexed. It powers the kicking movement and the swing phase of running.

Being biarticular and active during sprinting and kicking, it is the quadriceps component most prone to strains and, in adolescents, to avulsion of the AIIS apophysis.

Parts & subdivisions

  1. Straight head
    From the anterior inferior iliac spine.
  2. Reflected head
    From the groove above the acetabulum and the hip capsule.

Anatomy

Origin

Straight head: anterior inferior iliac spine. Reflected head: ilium above the acetabulum.

Insertion

Base of the patella (via the quadriceps tendon), then the tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament.

Action

Extension of the knee; flexion of the hip.

Innervation

Femoral nerve.

Nerve roots

L2–L4

Arterial supply

Descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.

Relations

Lies between sartorius medially and TFL laterally at its origin; superficial to vastus intermedius.

Function

  • Extends the knee
  • Flexes the hip
  • Steadies the pelvis on the femur

Clinical significance

Rectus femoris strain and Ely test

Strains occur at the musculotendinous junction in sprinting and kicking sports. A tight rectus femoris is shown by the Ely test: with the patient prone and the knee passively flexed, the hip rises from the couch.

Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Muscular System sources. For education only; not medical advice.