Quadratus Femoris Muscle Anatomy

The quadratus femoris, a short, flat quadrangular muscle, is located inferior to the obturator internus and gemelli. True to its name, the quadratus femoris is a rectangular muscle that is a strong lateral rotator of the thigh.

The deep layer of muscles of the gluteal region consists of smaller muscles (piriformis, obturator internus, superior and inferior gemelli, and quadratus femoris) covered by the inferior half of the gluteus maximus.

Quadratus Femoris Muscle Anatomy

The Quadratus Femoris Muscle originates from the lateral margin of obturator ring above ischial tuberosity and inserts on the quadrate tubercle and adjacent bone of intertrochanteric crest of proximal posterior femur.

It gets its innervation from the quadratus femoris branch of nerve to the quadratus femoris and inferior gemellus (L5, S1), and gets its blood supply from the following sources:

• Medial circumflex femoral artery
• Inferior gluteal artery
• 1st – 4th perforating arteries,
• Obturator artery,
• Some superior muscular branches of popliteal artery

The quadratus femoris muscle action is to rotates the hip joint laterally; it also helps to adduct the hip joint. Maximal strength of the quadratus femoris muscle will be delivered in a flexed position towards extension

References & More

1. Clinically Oriented Anatomy – 8th Edition
2. Vaarbakken K, Steen H, Samuelsen G, Dahl HA, Leergaard TB, Stuge B. Primary functions of the quadratus femoris and obturator externus muscles indicated from lengths and moment arms measured in mobilized cadavers. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2015 Mar;30(3):231-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.02.004. Epub 2015 Feb 11. PMID: 25697090. Pubmed