The rectus femoris muscle is the longest head of the quadriceps femoris. It occupies the superficial and anterior side of the human thigh. It emerges from the anterior-inferior iliac spine and the superior border of acetabulum (of pelvis). Then it extends anteriorly, all the way downwards, covering the vastus intermedius muscle.
In the distal portion of thigh, the rectus femoris ends up in a narrow yet strong tendon, which fuses with the base and the anterior surface of the patella. Having run beyond the patella, this tendon is called patellar ligament, which is inserted into the tibial tubercle (tuberosity).
Action
Its main function is the extension of the leg at the knee-joint.
Innervation and Blood Supply
The rectus femoris muscle is innervated by branches of the femoral nerve and it receives oxygenated blood from branches of the profunda femoris artery.
