L5.5.7.1.1: Anterior Upper Thigh

• ANTERIOR UPPER THIGH

  • Vastus Intermedius

  [a] Psoas Major

  [b] Iliacus

  [c] Tensor Fascia Lata (TFL)

  [d] Vastus Lateralis

  [e] Rectus Femoris

  [f] Vastus Medialis

  [g] Sartorius

  [h] Pectineus

  [i] Adductor Longus

  [j] Gracilis

  
• Psoas Major

  ○ Long, thick, fusiform muscle

  ○ Location: lumbar region of the trunk lateral to the lumbar vertebrae and medial to the quadratus lumborum muscle

  ○ Belongs to the inner muscles of the hip group
• Iliacus

  ○ Triangular-shaped muscle

  ○ Arises from the superior 2⁄3 of the iliac fossa, the iliac crest, and the lateral aspect of the sacrum

  ○ Some additional muscle fibers originate from the anterior sacroiliac and iliolumbar ligaments that connect the pelvis to the vertebral column
• Tensor Fascia Lata (TFL)

  ○ Muscle of the proximal anterolateral thigh

  ○ Lies between the superficial and deep fibers of the iliotibial band

  ○ High variability in muscle belly length

  ○ TFL muscle belly ends before the greater trochanter of the femur
• Vastus Lateralis

  ○ Located on the lateral side of the thigh

  ○ Largest of the quadriceps
• Rectus Femoris

  ○ Flexes the hip along with the sartorius and iliopsoas

  ○ Extends the lower leg at the knee, working in conjunction with the other 3 quadriceps muscles

  ○ Antagonizes the hamstring muscles and the knee and the hip
• Vastus Intermedius (not seen on the image)

  ○ Can only be seen once the rectus femoris is removed

  ○ Located centrally
• Vastus Medialis

  ○ Originates from the upper part of the femoral shaft

  ○ Inserts as a flattened tendon into the quadriceps tendon into the quadriceps femoris tendon, which inserts into the upper border of the patella
• Sartorius

  ○ Thin and straplike

  ○ Most superficial muscle of the thigh

  ○ Runs obliquely across the thigh from the anterior iliac crest to the medial side of the tibia

  ○ Weak thigh flexor
• Pectineus

  ○ Flat quadrangular muscle situated in the upper portion of the thigh
• Adductor Longus

  ○ Large, fan-shaped muscle

  ○ Innervated by the anterior division of the obturator nerve (L2-L4)
• Gracilis

  ○ Long, thin muscle

  ○ Located in the medial compartment of the thigh

  ○ Originates on the medial aspect of the ischiopubic ramus and joins with the sartorius and semitendinosus muscle tendons to form the pes anserine, which inserts on the superior medial tibia, medial to the tibial tuberosity
• QUADRICEPS FEMORIS

  ● Consists of 3 vastus, 1 rectus

  ● Vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, rectus femoris