Unilateral short rectus femoris muscle belly

Two cadavers, one male and one female, with a short left-sided rectus femoris muscle belly are described. The variant muscle belly was foreshortened by approximately 30-40% compared to the contralateral normal muscle, with no evidence of scarring. Numerous anatomical variants of rectus femoris have been described but are rare. This particular variant has not been documented previously. Considering the widespread use of the pedicled rectus femoris muscle flap in reconstruction of complex groin wounds, this rare variant is of surgical significance.