Muscles of the Anterior Thigh

The muscles of the anterior thigh region can be described as:

  1. Psoas Major

    • This muscle originates on the transverse process, bodies, and intervertebral discs of T12-L5 and attaches to the lesser trochanter

    • This muscle acts to flex at the hip joint

  2. Iliacus

    • This muscle originates on the iliac fossa and attaches to the lesser trochanter

    • This muscle act to flex at the hip joint

  3. Sartorius

    • This muscle originates on the anterior superior iliac spine and attaches to the pes anserinus of the tibia

    • This muscle acts to flex at the hip and knee joints

  4. Pectineus

    • This muscle originates on the superior ramus of the pubis and attaches to the pectineal line of the femur

    • This muscle acts to flex and adduct at the hip joint

  5. Quadriceps Femoris

    1. Vastus lateralis

      • This muscle originates from the lateral lip of the linea aspera of the femur and attaches to the tibial tuberosity via the quadricep tendon, patella, and patella tendon

      • This muscle acts to extend at the knee joint

    2. Vastus intermedius

      • This muscle originates from the lateral and anterior surfaces of the femur and attaches to the tibial tuberosity via the quadricep tendon, patella, and patella tendon

      • This muscle acts to extend at the knee joint

    3. Vastus medialis

      • This muscle originates from the medial lip of the linea aspera of the femur and attaches to the tibial tuberosity via the quadricep tendon, patella, and patella tendon

      • This muscle acts to extend at the knee joint

    4. Rectus femoris

      • This muscle originates from the anterior inferior iliac spine and superior to the acetabulum and attaches to the tibial tuberosity via the quadricep tendon, patella, and patella tendon

      • This muscle acts to flex at the hip joint

Clinical Notes:

  1. The sartorius muscle is able to flex, abduct, and laterally rotate the thigh as well as flex and medially rotate the leg. These combined actions enable us to sit cross-legged.

  2. The sartorius and gracilis muscles are weak.

  3. Quadriceps tendon jerk is elicited by a firm strike on the patella ligament while sitting on the edge of a bed with feet dangling. This tests the function of the femoral nerve.