Category A Muscles Knee and Hip

Clinical A+K

"What are the proximal attachments of the vastus lateralis?"

"Intertrochanteric line and greater trochanter

"What are the distal attachments of the vastus lateralis?"

"Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament

"What is the action of the vastus lateralis?"

It extends the knee joint.

"What nerve supplies the vastus lateralis?"

The vastus lateralis is supplied by the femoral nerve.

"What is the morphology of the rectus femoris?"

"Fusiform shape with bi-pennate fibre arrangement."

"What are the proximal attachments of the rectus femoris?"

"Anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) and superior acetabular ridge."

"What is the distal attachment of the rectus femoris?"

"Tibial tuberosity."

"What are the actions of the rectus femoris?"

"Hip flexion and knee extension."

"What nerve supplies the rectus femoris?"

"Femoral nerve."

"What is the morphology of the vastus medialis?"

"Long thick anteromedial muscle; upper fibres run vertically

"What are the proximal attachments of the vastus medialis?"

"Intertrochanteric line and medial lip of the linea aspera."

"What is the distal attachment of the vastus medialis?"

"Tibial tuberosity."

"What is the action of the vastus medialis?"

"Knee extension."

"What nerve supplies the vastus medialis?"

"Femoral nerve."

"What is the morphology of the vastus intermedius?"

"Lies between vastus lateralis and medialis; deep to rectus femoris."

"What is the proximal attachment of the vastus intermedius?"

"Anterior surface of the femoral shaft."

"What is the distal attachment of the vastus intermedius?"

"Tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament."

"What is the action of the vastus intermedius?"

"Knee extension."

"What nerve supplies the vastus intermedius?"

"Femoral nerve."

"What is the morphology of the vastus lateralis?"

"Largest quadriceps muscle with oblique unipennate fibre arrangement."

"What are the proximal attachments of the vastus lateralis?"

"Intertrochanteric line

"What are the distal attachments of the vastus lateralis?"

"Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament

"What is the action of the vastus lateralis?"

"Knee extension."

"What nerve supplies the vastus lateralis?"

"Femoral nerve."

"What is the morphology of the iliacus muscle?"

"Large triangular fan-shaped muscle."

"What is the proximal attachment of the iliacus?"

"Upper aspect of the posterior two-thirds of the iliac fossa."

"What is the distal attachment of the iliacus?"

"Lesser trochanter of the femur."

"What are the actions of the iliacus?"

"Hip flexion and anterior pelvic tilt."

"What nerve supplies the iliacus?"

"Femoral nerve."

"What is the morphology of the psoas major muscle?"

"Large thick fusiform muscle."

"What is the proximal attachment of the psoas major?"

"T12–L5 vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs; anterior medial aspect of the transverse processes."

"What is the distal attachment of the psoas major?"

"Lesser trochanter of the femur."

"What are the actions of the psoas major?"

"Hip flexion and lumbar flexion."

"What nerve supplies the psoas major?"

"Anterior rami of L1–L3/4."

"What is the morphology of the long head of the biceps femoris?"

"Long spindle-like muscle with pennate fibre arrangement."

"What is the morphology of the short head of the biceps femoris?"

"More quadrilateral in shape with pennate fibre arrangement."

"What is the proximal attachment of the long head of the biceps femoris?"

"Ischial tuberosity."

"What is the proximal attachment of the short head of the biceps femoris?"

"Lateral lip of the linea aspera (femur)."

"What are the distal attachments of the biceps femoris?"

"Fibula head and lateral condyle of the tibia."

"What are the actions of the biceps femoris?"

"Knee flexion

"What nerve supplies the short head of the biceps femoris?"

"Fibular (common peroneal) branch of the sciatic nerve."

"What nerve supplies the long head of the biceps femoris?"

"Tibial branch of the sciatic nerve."

"What is the morphology of the semitendinosus muscle?"

"Fusiform muscle with a long tendon

"What is the proximal attachment of the semitendinosus?"

"Ischial tuberosity (lower medial facet)."

"What is the distal attachment of the semitendinosus?"

"Medial surface of the medial condyle of the tibia."

"What are the actions of the semitendinosus?"

"Hip extension

"What nerve supplies the semitendinosus?"

"Tibial nerve."

"Where is the semimembranosus located?"

"Posterior compartment of the thigh

"What is the morphology of the semimembranosus muscle?"

"Broadand flat muscle located in the posterior thigh.

"What is the proximal attachment of the semimembranosus?"

"Ischial tuberosity (upper lateral facet)."

"What is the distal attachment of the semimembranosus?"

"Medial tibial condyle (posterior medial surface)."

"What are the actions of the semimembranosus?"

"Hip extension

"What nerve supplies the semimembranosus?"

"Tibial branch of the sciatic nerve."

"What is the morphology of the gluteus maximus muscle?"

The gluteus maximus is a large, fan-shaped muscle that forms the bulk of the buttocks, consisting of a superficial and a deeper layer. It originates from the posterior aspect of the ilium, sacrum, and coccyx, and its fibers insert into the gluteal tuberosity of the femur and the iliotibial tract.

"Where is the gluteus maximus located?"

"In the posterior hip region."

"What are the proximal attachments of the gluteus maximus?"

"Gluteal surface/fossa and posterior border of the ilium; Posterior part of the iliac crest."

"What are the distal attachments of the gluteus maximus?"

"Fascia lata blending into the iliotibial tract; Gluteal tuberosity of the femur."

"What is the primary action of the gluteus maximus?"

"Hip extension."

"What is the secondary action of the gluteus maximus?"

"Lateral rotation of the hip."

"What nerve supplies the gluteus maximus?"

"Inferior gluteal nerve."