Anterior Thigh Muscles

Question 1

What can the musculature of the thigh be split into?

Answer 1

Anterior, medial and posterior

Question 2

What does each compartment of the thigh have?

Answer 2

Distinct innervation and function

Question 3

What are the muscles in the anterior compartment of the thigh innervated by?

Answer 3

The femoral nerve (L2-L4)

Question 4

As a general rule, what do the muscles of the anterior thigh do?

Answer 4

Extend the leg at the knee joint

Question 5

What muscles are in the anterior thigh?

Answer 5

Pectineus
Sartorius
Quadriceps femoris
The end of the iliopsoas muscle passes into the anterior compartment

Question 6

What is the iliopsoas muscle made up of?

Answer 6

Two muscles, the psoas major and the iliacus

Question 7

Why is the iliopsoas commonly referred to as one muscle

Answer 7

Although they originate in different areas, but come together to form a tendon

Question 8

How is the iliopsoas unlike many of the other anterior thigh muscles?

Answer 8

It doesn’t extend the leg at the knee joint

Question 9

What is the innervation of the psoas major?

Answer 9

Anterior rami of lumbar nerves (L1, L2, L3)

Question 10

What is the innervation of the iliacus?

Answer 10

Femoral nerve (L2, L3)

Question 11

What is the arterial supply to the psoas major?

Answer 11

Lumbar arteries

Question 12

What is the arterial supply of the iliacus?

Answer 12

Branches of the medial circumflex femoral artery

Question 13

What is the main action of the iliopsoas?

Answer 13

Flexes the thigh at the hip joint

Stabilising joint

Question 14

What muscle assist in the action of the iliopsoas?

Answer 14

Psoas minor

Question 15

What is the innervation of the psoas minor?

Answer 15

Anterior rami of lumbar nerves (L1, L2)

Question 16

What is the arterial supply of the psoas minor?

Answer 16

Lumbar arteries

Question 17

What does the quadriceps femoris consist of?

Answer 17

Four individual muscles- the three vastus muscles, and the rectus femoris

Question 18

What is the innervation of the quadriceps femoris?

Answer 18

Femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4)

Question 19

What is the main action of the quadriceps femoris?

Answer 19

Extend leg at knee joint

Question 20

What does the rectus femoris do?

Answer 20

Steadies the hip joint and helps iliopsoas flex thigh

Question 21

Where does the sartorius run?

Answer 21

Across the thigh in a inferomedial direction

Question 22

Where is the sartorius positioned?

Answer 22

More superficially that the other muscles in the leg

Question 23

What is the innervation of the sartorius?

Answer 23

Femoral nerve (L2, L3)

Question 24

What is the arterial supply of the sartorius?

Answer 24

Branches of the medial circumflex femoral artery

Question 25

What is the main action of the sartorius?

Answer 25

Flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates the thigh at the hip joint
Flexes leg at knee joint (medially rotating leg when knee is flexed)

Question 26

What is the pectineus?

Answer 26

A flat muscle that forms the base of the femoral triangle

Question 27

What can the pectineus be considered as?

Answer 27

A transitional muscle between the anterior thigh and medial thigh compartments

Question 28

Why can the pectineus be considered as a transitional muscle?

Answer 28

Because it has dual innervation

Question 29

What can be tested in suspected femoral nerve damage?

Answer 29

The quadriceps femoris

Question 30

How are the quadriceps femoris muscles be tested?

Answer 30

The patient lies supine, with the knee slightly flexed. The patient is asked to extend the leg against resistance. The contraction of the quadriceps femoris should be visible