Quadratus Femoris

Original Editor - Leana Louw

Top Contributors - Leana Louw, Lucinda hampton, Kim Jackson and Wendy Snyders

Description[edit | edit source]

Quadratus femoris is a short, flat and rectangular muscle. It is situated inferior to the obturator internus and gemelli.[1]It is striated in appearance and is bordered anteriorly by the obturator externus and posteriorly by the sciatic nerve and fat[2].

Quadratus femoris.gif

Origin[edit | edit source]

Infeorlateral margain of the ischium along the anterior part of the ischial tuberosity.[1][2]

Insertion[edit | edit source]

Quadrate tubercle of the intertrochanteric crest of the femur and area inferior to it.[1][2]

Nerve[edit | edit source]

Nerve to quadratus femoris (L4, L5 and S1).[1][2]

Artery[edit | edit source]

Inferior gluteal artery.[1]

Function[edit | edit source]

  • Externally rotates the hip[2]
  • Assists in adduction of the hip[2]
  • Stabilises the femur head in the acetabulum[1]

Clinical relevance[edit | edit source]

Assessment[edit | edit source]

Treatment[edit | edit source]

  • Soft tissue/trigger point release

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Clinial oriented anatomy. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, 2010.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Kassarjian A, Tomas X, Cerezal L, Canga A, Llopis E. MRI of the quadratus femoris muscle: anatomic considerations and pathologic lesions. AJR-American Journal of Roentgenology. 2011 Jul 1;197(1):170.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Klinkert Jr P, Porte RJ, De Rooij TP, De Vries AC. Quadratus femoris tendinitis as a cause of groin pain. British journal of sports medicine 1997;31(4):348.
  4. Willick SE, Lazarus M, Press JM. Quadratus femoris strain. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine 2002;12(2):130-1.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Kassarjian A. Signal abnormalities in the quadratus femoris muscle: tear or impingement? American Journal of Roentgenology 2008;190(6):W379.
  6. Torriani M, Souto SC, Thomas BJ, Ouellette H, Bredella MA. Ischiofemoral impingement syndrome: an entity with hip pain and abnormalities of the quadratus femoris muscle. American Journal of Roentgenology 2009;193(1):186-90.