10. Rectus Femoris

Origin: Anterior superior iliac spine and ilium superior to acetabulum

Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via the patella tendon

Action: Extension of the lower leg

Innervation: Femoral nerve (L2/3/4)

Rectus femoris muscle.
Figure 3.26 Rectus femoris, adapted by Uwe Gille from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).
Femoral neurovascular bundle (Femoral artery, nerve and vein).
Figure 3.27 Femoral neurovascular bundle (femoral artery, nerve and vein), by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Supine

Palpation: Palpate in midline of the thigh

Technique: Needle perpendicular to this muscle using the femur as a bony backdrop

Caution: Low – moderate: femoral artery is located just medial to this muscle near its origin

Needling rectus femoris.
Figure 3.28 Needling rectus femoris, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 3.10 Needling rectus femoris, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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