Rectus Femoris Muscle

Function Of Rectus Femoris

Rectus femoris can both extend the knee and flex the hip, as it crosses both joints. It works particularly strongly with combined movement of hip flexion and knee extension such as standing up from a seated position, climbing stairs or coming up from a squatting position. It also works hard during a straight leg raise, the lifting up of a straight leg.

When walking, it is particularly active during the swing phase, as the lower leg comes forwards and the knee extends. When standing upright on both legs, there is essentially no action in the quadriceps muscles, but when standing on one leg or on a moving surface, the quadriceps muscles, will work to actively control the leg. 

Common Problems

The most common knee problems associate with rectus femoris are:

• Muscle Strain: sudden overloading or over-stretching can cause rectus femoris strain
• Muscle Tightness: tightness in rectus femoris is a common problem, particularly in people who spend much of the day sitting e.g. office workers. This can lead to front knee pain
• Muscle Weakness: Weakness in the quads muscles can affect how the kneecap moves leading to knee cap pain

If you are suffering from knee problems related to rectus femoris, have a look at:

1. Quadricep Stretches: Four great stretches for the quadriceps that you can do at home. Includes a simple test to see if your quadriceps are tight so you can see if you would benefit from doing stretches
   
   
2. Knee Strengthening Exercises: Loads of great exercises to strengthen your quadriceps and other knee muscles. Easy to follow video guides - no specialist equipment needed and they can all be done in your own home
   
   
3. Knee Muscles: Find out more about the other muscles around the knee
   
   
4. Knee Pain Diagnosis: Suffering from knee pain but not sure what is going on. Visit the knee diagnosis section for help working out what is causing your pain and learn what you can do to treat it

Summary

Muscle Group: Rectus Femoris forms part of the Quadriceps

Location: Front of the thigh, central

Action: Extends the knee and flexes the hip

Origin: Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine (AIIS) and acetabulum

Insertion: Upper border of patella and patella tendon

Nerve Supply: Muscular branch femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4)

Functional Activities: Getting up from a chair, swing phase of walking

Other Knee Muscles

Page Last Updated: 11/23/21
Next Review Due: 11/23/23

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