Summary
On the basis of 44 adult Japanese cadavers, the mode of origin, insertion and innervation of the articularis genus muscle (m. articularis genus: AG) is described. All the muscle bundles that are inserted into the posterior aspect of the synovial membrane of the joint capsule as well as the suprapatellar bursa are defined as AG. The inserting fibers spread medially and laterally over the subsynovial connective tissue which is the outer layer of synovial membrane facing the femur. The fatty tissue between each muscle bundle gradually increases with depth. A few deeper muscle bundles of AG seem to be separated by a layer of fat from those of the superficial layer. The deepest muscle bundles arise from the anterior surface of the femur at a slighlty lower level than the proximal apex of the suprapatellar bursa. It is inserted into the synovial membrane at the level of the junction of the suprapatellar bursa and proper joint cavity when the knee is extended. It is difficult to distinguish AG from m. vastus intermedius (Vi) only on the basis of the manner of origin and the surrounding fatty tissue. The innervation is in common with that of Vi, namely, a few nerves which run down obliquely to the lower medial part of Vi.
Résumé
Les insertions et l'innervation du muscle articulaire du genou ont été étudiées sur 44 sujets adultes japonais (muscle articulaire du genou: mAG). Sous ce terme on décrit les fibres musculaires qui se terminent sur la partie postéro-supérieure de la synoviale articulaire et sur la bourse suprapatellaire. De ces insertions, ces fibres s'étendent vers le bas et latéralement dans le tissu conjonctif subsynovial qui forme la couche externe de la membrane synoviale en regard du fémur. Le tissu adipeux situé entre chaque faisceau musculaire augmente régulièrement avec la profondeur. Quelques faisceaux musculaires plus profonds apparaissent séparés d'une couche superficielle par un plan adipeux. Ces faisceaux proviennent de la face antérieure du fémur au niveau d'une surface située en arrière de l'extrémité supérieure de la bourse suprapatellaire. Ils se terminent sur la membrane synoviale au niveau de jonction de la bourse suprapatellaire et de la cavité articulaire proprement dite, le genou étant en extension. Il est difficile de distinguer le mAG du vaste intermédiaire (mVi) tant au niveau de ses insertions basses que dans la recherche d'un plan de clivage. De plus, l'innervation est commune avec le mVi: il s'agit de quelques filets nerveux qui descendent obliquement vers la partie médiane distale du mVi.
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Dedicated to Professor Emeritus Tomoo Nakayama in commemoration of his 77th birthday
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Kimura, K., Takahashi, Y. M. articularis genus Observations on arrangement and consideration of function. Surg Radiol Anat 9, 231–239 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02109634
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02109634