Lower limb
Quadriceps Tendon and Patellar Ligament
Tendo quadricipitis et ligamentum patellae
- Origin
- Combined terminal tendons of the four heads of quadriceps femoris (rectus femoris, vastus medialis, lateralis and intermedius), via the patella as a sesamoid bone
- Insertion
- Tibial tuberosity
- Function
- Transmits the force of quadriceps femoris to the tibia and produces knee extension; the patella increases the leverage in the process
- Innervation
- Femoral nerve (L2-L4) for the muscle bellies; the tendon itself contains mainly proprioceptive receptors
- Movement & chain
- Central extensor mechanism of the knee; transfers combined contractile force of all four quadriceps heads via patella to tibial tuberosity.
- Palpation
- Easily traced from the upper border of the patella, over the patella, to the tibial tuberosity, just under the skin.
- Clinical
- Common site of overuse complaints: patellar tendinopathy ('jumper's knee') just below the patella, and, with trauma, quadriceps or patellar tendon rupture.
- Segmental innervation
- L2-L4 (femoral nerve, for the muscle bellies).
- In clinical practice
- Important landmark in physical examination of the knee and in ultrasound-guided puncture of the knee joint.
- Region in the model
- Lower limb