All Muscles

Articularis Genu

By

Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

Avatar photo Della Barnes, MS Anatomy

Last updated:

21/07/2025
Avatar photo
Della Barnes, MS Anatomy
UX/UI Designer at - Adobe

Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

What is the Articularis Genu

The articularis genu, also known as articularis genus, is a small flat muscle at the front of the lower thigh, just above the kneecap. It helps stabilize the knee joint by pulling at it from above when the knee is extended.

Anatomy

Location and Attachments

OriginLower front of the femoral shaft (body)
InsertionThe suprapatellar bursa of the knee joint

Origin

It originates from the anterior surface of the distal femur, typically arising from the lower one-third of the shaft of the femur above the knee joint. The muscle belly usually consists of several distinct muscular bundles that may arise from various points within this region. It gives the muscle a layered appearance.

Insertion

The muscle fibers descend vertically to insert into the upper part of the synovial membrane and the superior surface of the suprapatellar bursa, a fluid-filled sac located on the anterior surface of the femur just above the patella.

Relations With Surrounding Muscles and Structures

The articularis genu is a small band of muscle that lies above the knee joint, deep to the vastus intermedius, one of the four muscles that form the quadriceps femoris muscle group of the anterior thigh. Although the two muscles are usually distinguishable, their fibers or tendons may sometimes blend, making them appear as a single structure.

Function

ActionPulling the suprapatellar bursa upwards when the knee is extended

Due to its small size, the muscle often works together with the vastus intermedius rather than independently. It has a protective function: it pulls the suprapatellar bursa upward and away from the knee joint space during knee extension, so the bursa does not get impinged. It ensures smooth movement of the knee.

Antagonists

Since the muscle’s function is primarily protective rather than producing movement, it does not have any antagonists opposing its action.

Innervation

NerveFemoral nerve (L2-L4)

The muscle is innervated by the posterior division of the femoral nerve, which arises from the 2nd to 4th lumbar nerves (L2–L4).

Blood Supply

ArteryLateral circumflex femoral artery

The blood supply to the muscle comes from the lateral circumflex femoral artery, a branch of the deep femoral artery, which in turn arises from the femoral artery.

References

  1. Articularis Genus Muscle: Elsevier.com
  2. Articularis Genu Muscle: Radiopaedia.org
  3. Articularis Genu: BrookbushInstitute.com
  4. Articularis Genu: Meddean.LUC.edu
  5. The Anatomy of the Articularis Genus Muscle and Its Relation to the Extensor Apparatus of the Knee: PMC.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov
  6. Articularis Genu Muscle: GPNotebook.com
Avatar photo
Della Barnes, MS AnatomyUX/UI Designer at - Adobe

Della Barnes, an MS Anatomy graduate, blends medical research with accessible writing, simplifying complex anatomy for a better understanding and appreciation of human anatomy.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

94 − 87 =