Rectus femoris (Musculus rectus femoris)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
One of the four heads of the quadriceps femoris, and the only one crossing both the hip and knee joints. It lies superficially at the midline of the anterior thigh and descends to the common quadriceps tendon, inserting via the patella and patellar ligament onto the tibia.
Origin & insertion
Origin: anterior inferior iliac spine and superior acetabular rim. Insertion: base of the patella, then via the patellar ligament to the tibial tuberosity.
Action
Knee extension and hip flexion.
Innervation
Femoral nerve (L2–L4)
Clinical notes
Avulsion of its proximal tendon is common in football players. Weakness after knee surgery impairs extension, so early physiotherapy targets it.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Rectus femoris?
One of the four heads of the quadriceps femoris, and the only one crossing both the hip and knee joints. It lies superficially at the midline of the anterior thigh and descends to the common quadriceps tendon, inserting via the patella and patellar ligament onto the tibia.
Why is the Rectus femoris clinically important?
Avulsion of its proximal tendon is common in football players. Weakness after knee surgery impairs extension, so early physiotherapy targets it.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details