Pennate muscle
| Rectus femoris | |
|---|---|
Muscles of the iliac and anterior femoral regions. (Rectus femoris highlighted in red.) | |
| Details | |
| Origin | Anterior inferior iliac spine and the exterior surface of the bony ridge which forms the iliac portion of the acetabulum |
| Insertion | Inserts into the patellar tendon as one of the four quadriceps muscles |
| Artery | Lateral femoral circumflex artery |
| Nerve | Femoral nerve |
| Actions | Knee extension; hip flexion |
| Antagonist | Hamstring |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
A pennate or pinnate muscle (also called a penniform muscle) is a type of skeletal muscle with fascicles that attach obliquely (in a slanting position) to its tendon. This type of muscle generally allows higher force production but a smaller range of motion. When a muscle contracts and shortens, the pennation angle increases.