OBJECTIVEThe objective of this anatomic study was to investigate the intramuscular neurovascular configuration and to evaluate whether the muscle could be split into two functional units in transplantation.

METHODSTen fresh cadavers and ten preserved cadavers were used in the study. A mixture of lead oxide, gelatin and water was injected to the femoral artery of the fresh cadaver. The rectus femoris muscle with its neurovascular pedicles was dissected and radiographed.

RESULTSThree vascular patterns of the rectus femoris muscle were found in the 40 cadaver legs. The muscle received its blood supply through a single vascular pedicle (12.5%), or a dominant pedicle with 1-2 ramified (80%), or two dominant vascular pedicles (7.5%).

CONCLUSIONSThe study provided a detailed description on the intramuscular neurovascular territories of the rectus femoris muscle. Based on the neurovascular supply of the muscle, it is possible to subdivide the muscle into two functional units for segmental muscle transfer.