1.2.6.1. Muscles of the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh

Question 1

What are the 3 Muscle Compartments of the Thigh?

Answer 1

1. Anterior Compartment of the Thigh
2. Medial Compartment of the Thigh
3. Posterior Compartment of the Thigh

Question 2

What are the Muscles of the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh innervated by?

Answer 2

The Femoral Nerve

Question 3

What is the Segmental (or Root) Values for the Femoral Nerve?

Answer 3

1. L2
2. L3
3. L4

Question 4

In general, what is the function of the Muscles of the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh?

Answer 4

Extension of the Leg at the Knee Joint

Question 5

What are the 3 major Muscles in the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh?

Answer 5

1. Pectineus Muscle
2. Sartorius Muscle
3. Quadriceps Femoris Muscles
   Note - The End of the Iliopsoas Muscle also passes into the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh

Question 6

What does the Pectineus Muscle form?

Answer 6

The base of the Femoral Triangle

Question 7

How is the Pectineus Muscle described?

Answer 7

A flat Muscle

Question 8

Where does the Pectineus Muscle originate from?

Answer 8

Pectineal Line, on the Anterior Surface of the Pelvis

Question 9

Where does the Pectineus Muscle attach distally?

Answer 9

Pectineal Line, on the Posterior Surface of the Femur

Note - it attaches just Inferiorly to the Lesser Trochanter of the Femur

Question 10

What is the function of the Pectineus Muscle?

Answer 10

1. Adduction of the Thigh at the Hip Joint

2. Flexion of the Hip Joint

Question 11

What is the innervation of the Pectineus Muscle?

Answer 11

It has a dual innervation:

1. Femoral Nerve (L2-L4)
2. It may also receive a branch from the Obturator Nerve

Question 12

What is the significance of the dual innervation of the Pectineus Muscle?

Answer 12

It can be considered a transitional muscle between the Anterior and Medial Compartments of the Thigh

Question 13

What is significant about the Sartorius Muscle?

Answer 13

It is the longest Muscle in the Body

Question 14

How is the Sartorius Muscle described?

Answer 14

It is Long, and Thin

Question 15

In which direction does the Sartorius Muscle run?

Answer 15

Inferomedially

Question 16

Where is the Sartorius Muscle positioned, in relation to the other Muscles of the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh?

Answer 16

It is more Superficial

Question 17

Where does the Sartorius Muscle originate from?

Answer 17

Anterior Superior Iliac Spine

Question 18

Where does the Sartorius Muscle attach distally?

Answer 18

Superior, Medial surface of the Tibia

Question 19

What is the function of the Sartorius Muscle?

Answer 19

1. Flexion of the Hip Joint
2. Abduction of the Hip Joint
3. Lateral Rotation of the Hip Joint
4. Flexion of the Knee Joint

Question 20

What is the innervation of the Sartorius Muscle?

Answer 20

The Femoral Nerve (L2-L4)

Question 21

How many Muscles is the Quadriceps Femoris Muscles formed of?

Answer 21

4

Question 22

What are the 4 Quadriceps Femoris Muscles?

Answer 22

3 x Vastus Muscles:

1. Vastus Lateralis Muscle
2. Vastus Intermedius Muscle
3. Vastus Medialis Muscle

1 x Rectus Femoris:
1. Rectus Femoris Muscle

Question 23

Where does the Vastus Lateralis Muscle originate from?

Answer 23

1. Greater Trochanter of the Femur

2. Lateral Lip of the Linea Aspera of the Femur

Question 24

What is the function of the Vastus Lateralis Muscle?

Answer 24

1. Extension of the Knee Joint

2. Stabilization of the Patella

Question 25

What is the innervation of the Vastus Lateralis Muscle?

Answer 25

The Femoral Nerve (L2-L4)

Question 26

Where does the Vastus Intermedius Muscle originate from?

Answer 26

1. Anterior Surface of the Femoral Shaft | 2. Lateral Surface of the Femoral Shaft

Question 27

What is the function of the Vastus Intermedius Muscle?

Answer 27

1. Extension of the Knee Joint | 2. Stabilization of the Patella

Question 28

What is the innervation of the Vastus Intermedius Muscle?

Answer 28

The Femoral Nerve (L2-L4)

Question 29

Where does the Vastus Medialis Muscle originate from?

Answer 29

1. Intertrochanteric Line of the Femur | 2. Medial Lip of the Linea Aspera of the Femur

Question 30

What is the function of the Vastus Medialis Muscle?

Answer 30

1. Extension of the Knee Joint 2. Stabilization of the Patella Note - Particularly due to its Horizontal Fibers at the Distal End

Question 31

What is the innervation of the Vastus Medialis Muscle?

Answer 31

The Femoral Nerve (L2-L4)

Question 32

Where does the Rectus Femoris Muscle originate from?

Answer 32

The Ilium, just Superiorly to the Acetabulum

Question 33

Where does the Rectus Femoris Muscle travel?

Answer 33

Straight down the Thigh | Note - Latin for "Straight" is "Rectus"

Question 34

What is the significance of the Rectus Femoris Muscle, in relation to the other Quadriceps Femoris Muscles?

Answer 34

It is the only Quadriceps Femoris Muscle to cross the Hip and Knee Joint

Question 35

What is the function of the Rectus Femoris Muscle?

Answer 35

1. Flexion of the Thigh at the Hip Joint | 2. Flexion of the Leg at the Knee Joint

Question 36

What is the innervation of the Rectus Femoris Muscle?

Answer 36

The Femoral Nerve (L2-L4)

Question 37

What happens to the Quadriceps Femoris Muscles, immediately proximal to the Knee Joint?

Answer 37

They Unite, forming the Quadriceps Femoris Tendon

Question 38

Where does the Quadriceps Femoris Tendon attach distally?

Answer 38

The Patella

Question 39

How does the Patella attach to the Tibia?

Answer 39

1. The Patellar Ligament | 2. The Patellar Tendon

Question 40

What is the main Extensor of the Knee?

Answer 40

The Quadriceps Femoris Muscles

Question 41

How many Muscles form the Iliopsoas Muscle?

Answer 41

2

Question 42

What are the Muscles which form the Iliopsoas Muscle?

Answer 42

1. The Psoas Major Muscle | 2. The Iliacus Muscle

Question 43

Why is the Iliopsoas Muscle referred to as 1 Muscle, even though it originates from 2 different areas?

Answer 43

They come together to form 1 Tendon

Question 44

Where does the Psoas Major Muscle originate from?

Answer 44

The Vertebral Bodies, and associated Intervertebral Disks of: 1. T12 2. L1 3. L2 4. L3

Question 45

Where does the Iliacus Muscle originate from?

Answer 45

The Iliac Fossa of the Pelvis

Question 46

Where does the Iliopsoas Muscle (Tendon) attach distally?

Answer 46

The Lesser Trochanter of the Femur

Question 47

What is the function of the Iliopsoas Muscle?

Answer 47

1. Flexion of the Hip Joint | 2. (It assists in) Lateral Rotation of the Hip Joint

Question 48

Does the Iliopsoas Muscle Extend the Leg at the Knee Joint?

Answer 48

No, unlike many of the Muscles of the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh, it does not

Question 49

What is the innervation of the Psoas Major Muscle?

Answer 49

The Anterior Rami of L1 - L3

Question 50

What is the innervation of the Iliacus Muscle?

Answer 50

The Femoral Nerve (L2-L4)