Articularis genu muscle
Encyclopedia
The articularis genu is a small skeletal muscle
located anteriorly on the thigh
just above the knee
.
, close to the knee and from the deep fibers of the vastus intermedius.
Its insertion is on the synovial membrane of the knee-joint.
.
and ranges 1.5–3 cm in width.
It is usually distinct from the vastus intermedius, but occasionally blended with it.
Skeletal muscle
Skeletal muscle is a form of striated muscle tissue existing under control of the somatic nervous system- i.e. it is voluntarily controlled. It is one of three major muscle types, the others being cardiac and smooth muscle...
located anteriorly on the thigh
Thigh
In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and the knee. Anatomically, it is part of the lower limb.The single bone in the thigh is called the femur...
just above the knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
.
Origin and insertion
It arises from the anterior surface of the lower part of the body of the femur, deep to the vastus intermediusVastus intermedius muscle
The Vastus intermedius arises from the front and lateral surfaces of the body of the femur in its upper two-thirds, sitting under Rectus Femoris and from the lower part of the lateral intermuscular septum...
, close to the knee and from the deep fibers of the vastus intermedius.
Its insertion is on the synovial membrane of the knee-joint.
Action
Articularis genu pulls the suprapatellar bursa superiorly during extension of the knee, and prevents impingement of the synovial membrane between the patella and the femurFemur
The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
.
Blood supply
It is supplied by the lateral femoral circumflex artery.Variation
Flat, wispy and highly variable, sometimes consisting of several separate muscular bundles, this muscle is without a distinct investing fasciaFascia
A fascia is a layer of fibrous tissue that permeates the human body. A fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, binding those structures together in much the same manner as plastic wrap can be used to hold the contents of sandwiches...
and ranges 1.5–3 cm in width.
It is usually distinct from the vastus intermedius, but occasionally blended with it.
External links
- Farshchian's Orthopedic Regenerative Series: The Knee; Articularis Genu (very clear illustration)