Articularis genus muscle
Small skeletal muscle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The articularis genus (also known as the subcrureus muscle[1]) is a small skeletal muscle located anteriorly on the thigh just above the knee.
| Articularis genus muscle | |
|---|---|
 Anterior surface of right femur. Origin of articularis genus labelled at bottom middle of image. | |
| Details | |
| Origin | Femur |
| Insertion | Suprapatellar bursa |
| Artery | Femoral artery |
| Nerve | Femoral nerve |
| Actions | Pulling the suprapatellar bursa during extension of the knee |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | musculus articularis genus |
| TA98 | A04.7.02.024 |
| TA2 | 2625 |
| FMA | 22437 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
Structure
It arises from the anterior surface of the lower part of the body of the femur,[2] deep to the vastus intermedius,[3] close to the knee and from the deep fibers of the vastus intermedius.[2]
Its insertion is on the synovial membrane of the knee-joint.[2]
Blood supply
It is supplied by the lateral femoral circumflex artery.[2]
Innervation
It is innervated by branches of the femoral nerve (L2-L4).[2]
Variation
Flat, wispy and highly variable,[4] sometimes consisting of several separate muscular bundles,[5] this muscle is without a distinct investing fascia and ranges 1.5–3 cm in width.[4]
It is usually distinct from the vastus intermedius, but occasionally blended with it.[5][needs update]
Function
Articularis genus pulls the suprapatellar bursa superiorly during extension of the knee,[3] and prevents impingement of the synovial membrane between the patella and the femur.[2]
