Rectus Femoris
Description[edit | edit source]
Rectus femoris is a bulk of muscle located in the superior, anterior middle compartment of the thigh and is the only muscle in the quadriceps group that crosses the hip[1].
It is superior and overlying of the vastus intermedius muscle and superior-medial part of Vastus lateralis and Vastus medialis.
The word rectus is a latin word connoting “straight”. Thus the rectus femoris received its name because it runs straight down the thigh[2].
It is a two way acting muscle as it crosses over the hip and knee joint; therefore, it contributes to 90° of knee flexion and assists iliopsoas in hip flexion[3][1].
A short rectus femoris may contribute to a higher positioned patella in relation to the contralateral side. A markedly shortened rectus femoris is suggested by knee flexion of less than 80°or by marked prominence of superior patellar groove[4]
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
Origin[edit | edit source]
Rectus Femoris originates from anterior inferior iliac spine(AIIS) and the part of alar of ilium superior to the acetabulum[1]
Insertion[edit | edit source]
Rectus Femoris together with vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius joins the quadriceps tendon to insert at the patella and tibial tuberosity (via patellar ligament)[4].
Nerve supply[edit | edit source]
Rectus Femoris is innervated by the femoral nerve, originating from lumbar nerve 2, 3, and 4 nerve roots
Bloody supply[edit | edit source]
Blood is supplied to the Rectus Femoris via descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral (LCF) artery.
Function[edit | edit source]
Actions[edit | edit source]
Hip flexion[edit | edit source]
- Rectus Femoris acts with iliopsoas to produce hip flexion especially if the knee is flexed[2].
- During gait, as a hip flexor, it acts with the iliopsoas in "Toe off" phase,.
Knee extension[edit | edit source]
- Together with other muscles that are part of the Quadriceps femoris, it facilitates knee extension.
- In terminal swing phase rectus femoris acts as an extensor of the knee, as a muscle in the quadriceps group, it generate force needed for loading(foot flat phase) in stance phase[5].
- Rectus femoris is more efficient in movement combining hip hyper-extension and knee flexion or from a position of knee extension and hip flexion. For example kicking a soccer ball[2][3]
Assessment[edit | edit source]
Palpation[edit | edit source]
Rectus femoris can be palpated as it is the most superior of the quadriceps muscles.
Strength[6][edit | edit source]
To assess muscle strength for the Rectus Femoris (including rest of the quadriceps group) position the patient in sitting with the hip and knee flexed to 90° for grade 5, 4 and 3 while grade 2, is assessed in side-lying with test limb uppermost and knee flexed to 90° position.
Other Tests[8][edit | edit source]
In Rectus femoris injury :
- FABER (Patrick's test) - illicit no pain
- Pain is felt in resisted hip flexion[9]
- Ely’ test - illicit pain on tightness
- Knee ROM is reduced below 80° in shortness of Rectus femoris or prominence of patella grove is noted.[10]
[11]
References[edit | edit source]
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