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Quadratus Femoris – Attachments, Actions & Innervation

Quadratus Femoris – Attachments, Actions & Innervation

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update: Oct 18th, 2022

The quadratus femoris is a muscle in the posterior side of the hip joint.

Quadratus Femoris

Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region. Labelled muscles: gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus maximus, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with quadratus femoris highlighted. Labelled muscles: gluteus medius, piriformis, quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with gluteus maximus highlighted. Labelled muscles: quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with quadratus femoris labelled.

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Attachments of Quadratus Femoris: Origin: & Insertion:

Origin: (proximal attachments)
a.Ischial tuberosity, lateral border.

Insertion: (distal attachments)
a.Quadrate tubercle near base of greater trochanter and intertrochanteric crest of femur.

Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region. Labelled muscles: gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus maximus, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with gluteus maximus highlighted. Labelled muscles: quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with quadratus femoris labelled.

Anterior view of thigh and pelvis. Origin of quadratus femoris labelled.

Posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Insertion of quadratus femoris labelled.

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Actions of Quadratus Femoris on the thigh (femur):

a. Laterally Rotates thigh at hip.

First image in animation of lateral rotation of the thigh.

Second image in animation of lateral rotation of the thigh.

Third image in animation of lateral rotation of the thigh.

Fourth image in animation of lateral rotation of the thigh.

Fifth image in animation of lateral rotation of the thigh.

b.Helps Adduct thigh at hip.

Learn the main muscles of the lower limb with 3D videos that boost your anatomy knowledge.

First image in animation of abduction of thigh showing thigh abducted.

Second image in animation of adduction of thigh

Third image in animation of adduction of thigh

Fourth image in animation of adduction of thigh

Fifth image in animation of adduction of thigh

Nerve to Muscle and its Spinal Segment:

a.Branch of sacral plexus (S1, S2).

An Overview of the Posterior Muscles of the Thigh:

Test yourself image 1, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region showing all superficial muscles with no labels.

Test yourself image 2, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region, all superficial muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus maximus, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 3, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region, lateral rotators of the thigh visible. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus maximus, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 4, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 5, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, piriformis, quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 6, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region, gluteus minimus visible through medius. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, piriformis, quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 7, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus minimus, piriformis, quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 8, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-piriformis, quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 9, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 10, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-quadratus femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 11, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-quadratus femoris, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 12, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-quadratus femoris, adductor magnus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 13, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-quadratus femoris, adductor magnus, gastrocnemius.

Test yourself image 14, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-quadratus femoris, adductor magnus.

Test yourself image 15, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-quadratus femoris.

Test yourself image 16, anterior view of thigh and pelvis. Origin of quadratus femoris labelled.

Test yourself image 17, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Insertion of quadratus femoris labelled.

Test yourself while observing the Quadratus Femoris muscle

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