Muscle of the Month: Rectus Femoris

Origin: Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine

Insertion: Tibial Tuberosity

Action: Extends knee & flexes hip

The rectus femoris is one of the four quadriceps muscles.  All the quadriceps extend the knee; the rectus femoris is the one only of the group that flexes the hip as, unlike the others, it originates from the pelvis.

It is situated at the front of the leg, in the middle of the thigh; and inserts into the patella tendon.