The document describes the anatomy of the anterior thigh compartment. It is divided into 3 sections - anterior, medial, and posterior - by intermuscular septa. The major muscles of the anterior compartment are the sartorius and quadriceps femoris group (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis). Together they perform knee extension. Each muscle originates on the pelvis or femur and inserts via the patella and quadriceps tendon. They are innervated by branches of the femoral nerve.
2. The thigh is the region
between the hip and
knee joints
Hip Joint
Knee Joint
Thigh
3. The region below the
knee joint is the leg
Hip Joint
Knee Joint
Thigh
Leg
4. The thigh is divided into 3 functional compartments
5. The thigh is divided into 3 functional compartments
1. Anterior or Extensor compartment
1. Medial or Adductor compartment
1. Posterior or Flexor compartment
6. The thigh is divided into 3 functional compartments
The anterior and posterior compartments
are separated by the medial and lateral
intermuscular septa
The adductor muscles do not have a fascial
boundary, but are continuous with the
posterior compartment
12. Muscles of the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh
Sartorius
Quadriceps Femoris
- Rectus Femoris
- Vastus Lateralis
- Vastus Intermedius
- Vastus Medialis
13. Muscles of the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh
Sartorius
Quadriceps Femoris
- Rectus Femoris
- Vastus Lateralis
- Vastus Intermedius
- Vastus Medialis
Adductor Longus and Pectineus are sometimes
considered to be part of both the anterior and adductor
compartments
14. Muscles of the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh
Sartorius
Quadriceps Femoris
- Rectus Femoris
- Vastus Lateralis
- Vastus Intermedius
- Vastus Medialis
Adductor Longus and Pectineus will be discussed in
the adductor compartment section
25. Arises from posterior Femur
- Linea Aspera
- Medial Supracondylar Ridge
Posterior Femur
Vastus Medialis
It wraps itself around the
medial aspect of the Femur
28. Arises from posterior Femur
- Linea Apsera
- Lateral Supracondylar
Ridge
Posterior Femur
Vastus Lateralis
It wraps itself around the lateral
aspect of the Femoral shaft
31. Vastus Intermedius
Is very deeply placed
Arises from
anterior and lateral surfaces of
Femur
Its fibres end in a superficial
aponeurosis which forms the deep
part of the Quadriceps tendon
37. Sartorius
Origin Anterior superior iliac spine
Insertion Superior aspect of the medial
surface of the tibial shaft near the
tibial tuberosity
Action Flexes and laterally rotates the hip
joint and flexes the knee
Nerve Supply Femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4)
Blood Supply Femoral artery
Anterior Thigh
38. Anterior Thigh
Rectus Femoris
Origin Straight head from anterior inferior
iliac spine;
Reflected head from groove just
above acetabulum
Insertion Base of patella to form the more
central portion of the quadriceps
femoris tendon
Action Extends the knee
Nerve Supply femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4)
Blood Supply Lateral circumflex femoral artery
39. Vastus Medialis
Origin Inferior intertrochanteric line,
spiral line, medial lip linea aspera,
superior medial supracondylar
ridge of femur, medial
intermuscular septum
Insertion Medial base and border of patella;
medial patellar retinaculum, medial
side of quadriceps femoris tendon
Action Extends the knee
Nerve Supply femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4)
Blood Supply Femoral artery, profunda femoris
artery, and superior medial
genicular branch of popliteal artery
Anterior Thigh
40. Vastus Lateralis
Origin Superior intertrochanteric line,
anterior and inferior borders of
greater trochanter, superior
portion of lateral lip of linea
aspera, and lateral portion of
gluteal tuberosity of femur
Insertion Lateral base and border of patella
lateral patellar retinaculum and
lateral quadriceps femoris tendon
Action Extends the knee
Nerve Supply femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4)
Blood Supply Lateral circumflex femoral artery
Anterior Thigh
41. Anterior Thigh
Vastus Intermedius
Origin Superior 2/3 of anterior and lateral
surfaces of femur; also from lateral
intermuscular septum of thigh
Insertion Lateral border of patella; also forms
the deep portion of the quadriceps
tendon
Action Extends the knee
Nerve Supply femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4)
Blood Supply Lateral circumflex femoral artery