Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter

[Plate 483, Muscles of Thigh: Posterior Views]

Anterior (= extensor) compartment

Flexors of hip

Sartorius (also abducts and laterally rotates hip and flexes and medially rotates knee), Iliopsoas

Pectineus (also adducts hip)

Extensor of knee: quadriceps femoris, composed of

Rectus femoris (also flexes hip)

Vastus lateralis

Vastus intermedius

Vastus medialis (also stabilizes patella)

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Anterior Thigh Muscles

Muscle Origin Insertion Innervation Blood Supply Action

Iliopsoas/psoas

major

Sides of vertebra T12 to

L5 and transverse

processes of L1-L5

Lesser trochanter of

femur

Ventral rami of

lumbar spinal

nerves 1-3

Lumbar branches

of iliolumbar artery

Flexes thigh at hip and

stabilizes the hip

Iliacus Iliac crest, iliac fossa,

ala of scrum, and

anterior sacroiliac

ligaments

Tendon of psoas major

and body of femur,

inferior to lesser

trochanter

Femoral nerve

(L2-L3)

Iliac branches of

iliolumbar artery

Flexes thigh at hip and

stabilizes the hip

Tensor fasciae

latae

Anterior superior iliac

spine and anterior part

of external lip of iliac

crest

Iliotibial tract → lateral

condyle of tibia

Superior gluteal

nerve (L4-L5)

Superior gluteal

arteries, lateral

circumflex femoral

artery

Abducts, medially

rotates and flexes the

thigh, stabilizes trunk

on thigh

Sartorius ASIS and superior part

of notch below it

Superior part of medial

surface of tibia

Femoral nerve

(L2-L3)

Femoral artery Abducts, laterally

rotates and flexes the

thigh

Quadratus

femoris

Lateral margin of ischial

tuberosity

Quadrate tubercle on

intertrochanteric crest

of femur

Nerve to

quadratus femoris

(L4 to S1)

Medial circumflex

femoral artery

Laterally rotates thigh