| Articularis genus muscle | |
| Latin: | musculus articularis genus |
| Origin: | Femur |
| Insertion: | Suprapatellar bursa |
| Blood: | Femoral artery |
| Nerve: | Femoral nerve |
| Action: | Pulling the suprapatellar bursa during extension of the knee |
The articularis genus (also known as the subcrureus muscle[1]) is a small skeletal muscle located anteriorly on the thigh just above the knee.
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.
Its insertion is on the synovial membrane of the knee-joint.
It is supplied by the lateral femoral circumflex artery.
It is innervated by branches of the femoral nerve (L2-L4).
Flat, wispy and highly variable,[4] sometimes consisting of several separate muscular bundles, this muscle is without a distinct investing fascia and ranges 1.5–3 cm in width.
It is usually distinct from the vastus intermedius, but occasionally blended with it.[5]
Articularis genus pulls the suprapatellar bursa superiorly during extension of the knee, and prevents impingement of the synovial membrane between the patella and the femur.