Muscles of the anterior thigh Flashcards
Describe the muscles of the anterior thigh?
What are the muscles of the anterior thigh?
Generally extend the leg at the knee joint and are innervated by the femoral nerve (L2-L4)
iliopsoas
Quadriceps Femoris
Sartorius
Pectineus
What is illipsoas?
What innervates it
Two muscles (psoas major and iliacus). Originate in differnnt regions but come tigehter to forma tendon. Does not extend the leg at the knee joint
Psoas major- anterior rami of L1-L3
Iliacus- femoral nerve
What are the attachments of iliopsoas?
What are its functions
Psoas major- originates from lumbar vertebrae
Iliacus- originates from ilaic fossa of pelvis
Both insert into lower trochanter of femur
Flexes thigh at hip joint
What is quadriceps femoris?
What innervates them?
A group of four muscles all innervated by the femoral nerve. They originate from different points and insert into the quadriceps tendon. They are the main extensors of the knee
Where does vastus lateralis originate from?
What are its actions
Greater trochanter and lateral lip of linea aspera
Extends knee joint and stabilises patella
Where does vastus intermedialis originate from?
What are its action?
Anterior and lateral surfaces of femoral shaft
Extends knee joint and stabilises patella
Where does vastus medialis originate?
What are its actions?
Intertrochantic line and medial lip of linea aspera
Extends knee and stabilises patella. PArticulary as it has horizontal fibres at the distal end
Where does rectus femoris originate?
What are its actions?
Ilium, superior to acetabulum, runs straught down leg (latin for straight is rectus)
crosses both hip and knee joint. Flexes thigh at hip joint and extends the knee.
What is satorius
What inenrvates it
Longest msucle in the body, runs inferomedially
Femoral nerve
What are the attachments of sartorius?
What are its actions?
Originates from asis and attaches to the superior medial surface of the tibia
Flexes, abducts and laterally rotates hip joint. Flexes knee joint
What is the pectineus muscle?
What innervates it
Flat muscle that forms thee base of the femoral riangle
Femorla nerve and branch of obturator nerve
What are the attachemtns of pectineus
What are its actions?
Originates from the pectineal line of the anterior surface of the pelvis adn attaches to the pectineal line on posterior side of femur
Adducts and flexes hip joint
How do you test the quadriceps femoris?
Position patient supine and slightly flex knee. Asked to extend leg at knee and if it cant be done test is positive.
