Rectus Femoris
The Rectus Femoris muscle is part of the Quadriceps muscle group. It is the only muscle of the group which crosses the hip joint and is a powerful knee extensor when the hip is extended, but is weak when the hip is flexed.
Origin
- Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine (AIIS).
Insertion
- Top of the patella and the patella tendon to the tibial tuberosity.
Actions
- Flexion of the hip.
- Extension of the knee.
Innervation
- Femoral nerve.
Daily uses
- Kicking a football.
Example strengthening exercises
- Standing hip flexion using resistance band.
- Sitting hip flexion using resistance band.
Example stretches
- Hip flexor stretch.
- Laying quadricep stretch.
- Standing quadricep stretch.
Related injuries
- Quad strain Contusion.
- Rectus femoris tendon rupture.
Related muscles
- Vastus medialis.
- Vastus lateralis.
- Vastus intermedius.
