Lower

Limb
-Lecture 3-
Ms S Singh
 Anterior thigh
muscles

Moore: p.704-707, 715-718

 Aims & Outcomes for lecture:

1. To know the structure of the anterior

muscles of the thigh.

Lower Limb: Outcomes 12. & 13.

 Anterior thigh muscles
Flexors of hip & extensors of knee
▪ M. pectineus Table 7.3 I. p.704
▪ M. iliopsoas Table 7.3 II. p. 705

▪ M. sartorius
▪ M. quadriceps femoris
→ Atrophy quickly during
immobilisation
 M. Pectineus:
• Anterior part of supero-medial aspect of thigh
• Flat, quadrangular
• Superficial & deep parts – different nn.
• PA: Superior ramus of pubis
• DA: Pectineal line of femur
• Nn.: Femoral n. (L2,3) & obturator n.
• Functions:
✓ Adduction & flexion of thigh
✓ Assists with medial rotation of thigh
 M. Pectineus:

Posterior view:

Anterior view:
 M. Iliopsoas:
• M. psoas major + M. iliacus
• PA: T12-L5 vertebrae & iliac fossa
• DA: Lesser trochanter (minor: iliopect. eminence)
• Nn.: M.psoas= L1,2; M.iliacus = femoral n. (L2,3)
• Functions:
✓ Chief flexor of hip (most power, longest range)→ walking & climbing
✓ Flexion of trunk (bilateral)
✓ Stabilize hip joint
✓ Eccentric contraction downhill → resist acceleration
✓ Postural: lumbar lordosis especially
M. Iliopsoas:
 M. Sartorius:
• “Tailor’s muscle” = long, ribbon-like (longest)
• Runs superficial and obliquely in thigh
• PA: ASIS, superior part of notch inferior to it
• DA: Superior part – medial surface of tibia
• Nn.: Femoral n. (L2,3)
• Functions: (*crossed-leg sitting position)
✓ Only a synergist – not strong action
✓ Flexion of hip
✓ Assists with flexion of knee
✓ *Weak abductor of thigh
✓ Lateral rotation of thigh
 M. Quadriceps femoris:
• Four heads
• Largest, one of most powerful
muscles
• Two-joint muscle: (hip & knee)
1
2
1. M. rectus femoris 3
2. M. vastus lateralis
3. M. vastus intermedius
4. M. vastus medialis
 M. Quadriceps femoris:
• Actions:
✓ Main extensor of knee
✓ Extend against gravity, important for:
▪ rising from sitting / squatting
▪ climbing & walking upstairs
▪ acceleration (running)
▪ projection (jumping)
✓ Eccentric contraction: descending/downhill
✓ Fixator: in bent-knee sports, e.g. tennis & skiing
 Quadriceps tendon:
• Quadriceps tendon = 4 fused parts distal in thigh
→ continues as patellar ligament (contains patella)
→ Patellar lig. attached to tibial tuberosity
• M. vastus medialis & lateralis:
→ also separate attachment to tibial plateau
→ forms medial & lateral patellar retinacula (≈joint capsule)
• Patella:
- withstand compression of tendon - kneeling
- withstand friction when knee is flexed/extended
- ↑ leverage for action of M. quadriceps femoris
Quadriceps tendon:
M. Rectus femoris:

PA:
Straight
head
 M. Rectus femoris:
• “Kicking muscle”
• Straight, crosses 2 joints
• PA: AIIS, ilium superior to acetabulum (2 heads)
• DA: Common tendinous attachment
• Nn.: Femoral n. (L2-4)
• Functions:
✓ Flexion of hip (assists M. iliopsoas)
✓ Extension of knee (compromised when hip is flexed)
✓ Especially combined movements: kicking
(avulsion/injury – may decrease thigh flexion by 17%)
Vasti muscles:
 Vasti muscles: • M. vastus lateralis
• M. vastus intermedius
• PA: • M vastus medialis
= around femur shaft
– Lateral: greater trochanter, lateral lip linea aspera
– Medial: intertrochanteric line, medial lip linea aspera
– Intermediate: anterior & lateral surfaces – femur shaft
• DA:
– Common tendinous attachment
– Medial + lateral patellar retinacula (patella & tibial plateau)
• Nn.: Femoral n. (L2-4)
• Functions:
✓ Extension of knee (difficult to separate them)
✓ Articular m. of knee pulls synovial membrane ↑
Vasti muscles - Attachments:

Anterior view:
Vasti muscles –
Attachments:

Posterior view:
Articular muscle of the knee:
M. vastus intermedius

Articular m.
of knee

Lat. & med. patellar

retinacula

Suprapatellar bursa
 M. Quadriceps femoris - Testing:
• Supine with knee partly flexed
• Extends knee against resistance

• Muscle Paralysis = person presses on distal

end of thigh when walking (prevent
inadvertent flexion)
• Patellar tendon reflex:
- tap on patellar ligament → leg extends
- tests integrity of femoral n. & L2-4
Anterior thigh muscles:
Anterior thigh muscles – Surface anatomy:
 Surface anatomy - Patella:

Inferior pointing apex =

indicates level of knee
joint when knee is
extended