College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Which of the following muscles attaches to the Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine (AIIS)?

1. sartorius

2. tensor fascia lata

3. biceps femoris

4. rectus femoris

The correct answer is: rectus femoris

The rectus femoris muscle attaches to the Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine (AIIS) of the pelvis. This muscle is one of the four quadriceps muscles and is responsible for extending the knee and flexing the hip. The attachment at the AIIS is significant because it allows the rectus femoris to play a key role in movements that involve both knee extension and hip flexion, such as running and jumping. This dual function makes the rectus femoris unique among the quadriceps muscles, as the other quadriceps muscles do not originate from the pelvis but from other structures in the femur. The other mentioned muscles do not attach to the AIIS: the sartorius originates from the ASIS (Anterior Superior Iliac Spine) and primarily assists with hip flexion and external rotation; the tensor fascia lata originates from the iliac crest and supports hip abduction; and the biceps femoris, part of the hamstring group, originates from the ischial tuberosity and the femur, with no connection to the AIIS. Understanding these attachments helps clarify their respective roles in movement and muscle function within the hip region.