Muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh

Question 1

What are the muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh?

Answer 1

• Pectineus
• Sartorius
• Quadriceps femoris (rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius)

Question 2

Where does the anterior compartment get its arterial supply?

Answer 2

Medial and lateral femoral circumflex artery and profunda femoris

Question 3

Psoas major

Answer 3

O: Transverse processes of T12-L5 and lateral margins of intervertebral discs between them

I: Lesser trochanter of femur

I: Anterior rami of L1-L3

A: Flexion at hip joint and assists lateral rotation

Question 4

Iliacus

Answer 4

O: Iliac fossa of pelvis

I: Lesser trochanter

I: Femoral nerve

A: Flexion at hip joint and assists lateral rotation

Question 5

Vastus Lateralis

Answer 5

O: Greater trochanter and lateral lip of linea aspera

I: Base of patella via quadriceps tendon

I: Femoral nerve

A: Extends knee joint and stabilise patella

Question 6

Vastus Intermedius

Answer 6

O: Anterior and lateral surface of femoral shaft

I: Base of patella via quadriceps tendon

I: Femoral nerve

A: Extends knee joint and stabilise patella

Question 7

Vastus Medialis

Answer 7

O: Intertrochanteric line of femur and medial lip of linea aspera

I: Base of patella via quadriceps tendon

I: Femoral nerve

A: Extends knee joint and stabilise patella (VMOs)

Question 8

Rectus Femoris

Answer 8

O: Anterior inferior iliac spine (anterior tendon) and groove above acetabulum (posterior tendon)

I: Base of patella via quadriceps tendon

I: Femoral nerve

A: Extends knee joint and flexes the thigh at hip joint

Question 9

Sartorius

Answer 9

O: Anterior superior iliac spine

I: Medial aspect of proximal tibia (pes anserinus)

I: Femoral nerve

A: Flexion, Abduction and lateral rotation of the thigh as well as flexion and medial rotation of tibia at knee joint

Question 10

Pectineus

Answer 10

O: Pectineal line of the superior pubic ramus

I: Pectineal line of posterior femur

I: Femoral nerve (can also get from obturator)

A: Adduction and flexion of the thigh at hip joint