Anterior compartment of the thigh

Question 1

Name all the muscles in the anterior compartment of the thigh.

Answer 1

Iliopsoas, Vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, Pectineus (This muscle is a transitional muscle as it is also in the medial compartment of the thigh)

Question 2

What is the origin of Iliopsoas?

Answer 2

Psoas major originates from the lumbar vertebrae.

Iliacus originates from the iliac fossa of the pelvis.

Question 3

Where does iliopsoas insert?

Answer 3

Onto the lesser trochanter of the femur

Question 4

What is the action of iliopsoas?

Answer 4

Flexes the thigh at the hip.

Question 5

What innervates iliopsoas?

Answer 5

Psoas major is innervated by the anterior rami L1-3.

Iliacus is innervated by the femoral nerve.

Question 6

Where is the origin of Vastus lateralis?

Answer 6

Originates from the greater trochanter and the lateral lip of linea aspera

Question 7

Where does vastus lateralis insert?

Answer 7

Quadriceps tendon to the base of the patella and onto tibial tuberosity via the patella ligament.

Question 8

What is the action of vastus lateralis

Answer 8

Extend the knee and stabilise the patella.

Question 9

What innervates vastus lateralis?

Answer 9

Femoral nerve

Question 10

Where is the origin of vastus intermedius?

Answer 10

The upper 2 thirds of the anterior and lateral surfaces of the femoral shaft.

Question 11

Where does vastus intermedius insert?

Answer 11

Quadriceps tendon to the base of the patella and onto the tibial tuberosity via the patella ligament.

Question 12

What is the action of vastus intermedius?

Answer 12

Extend the knee joint and stabilise the patella.

Question 13

What innervates vastus intermedius?

Answer 13

Femoral nerve.

Question 14

Where is the origin of Vastus medialis?

Answer 14

The intertrochanteric line and medial lip of linea aspera.

Question 15

Where does vastus medialis insert?

Answer 15

Quadriceps tendon to the base of the patella and onto the tibial tuberosity via the patella ligament.

Question 16

What is the action of vastus medialis?

Answer 16

Extends the knee joint and stabilises the patella, particularly due to its horizontal fibres at the distal end.

Question 17

What innervates Vastus medialis

Answer 17

Femoral nerve

Question 18

Where is the origin of rectus femoris?

Answer 18

Originates from the ilium, just superior to the acetabulum. It runs straight down the leg

Question 19

Where is the insertion of rectus femoris?

Answer 19

Quadriceps tendon to base of patella and onto tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament.

Question 20

What is the action of rectus femoris?

Answer 20

Flexes the thigh at the hip joint and extends the knee joint.

Question 21

Where is the origin of Sartorius?

Answer 21

Anterior superior iliac spine

Question 22

Where does sartorius insert?

Answer 22

Attaches to the superior medial surface of the tibia.

Slightly distal medial to the tibial tuberosity.

Question 23

What is the action of sartorius?

Answer 23

At the hip joint, it is a flexor, a (very) weak abductor and lateral rotator (external rotator).

At the knee joint, it is also a flexor, due tto its insertions which is distal-medial to the tibial tuberosity

Question 24

What innervates sartorius?

Answer 24

Femoral nerve

Question 25

Where is the origin of Pectineus?

Answer 25

It originates from the pectineal line on the anterior surface of the pelvis.

Question 26

Where does Pectineus insert?

Answer 26

Attaches to the pectineal line on the posterior side of the femur, just inferior to the lesser trochanter.

Question 27

What is the action of Pectineus?

Answer 27

Adduction and flexion at the hip.

Question 28

What innervates pectineus?

Answer 28

Femoral nerve. May receive a branch from the Obturator nerve.

Question 29

Which muscles are included as part of the Quadratus femoris muscle?

Answer 29

Vastus lateralis, Vastus intermedius, Vastus medialis and Rectus femoris.