The quadriceps femoris muscle (, also called the quadriceps extensor, quadriceps or quads) is a large muscle group that includes the four prevailing muscles on the front of the thigh. It is the sole extensor muscle of the knee, forming a large fleshy mass which covers the front and sides of the femur. The name derives .
Structure
Parts
The quadriceps femoris muscle is subdivided into four separate muscles (the 'heads'),
with the first superficial to the other three over the
femur (from the
to the
):
-
The rectus femoris muscle occupies the middle of the thigh, covering most of the other three quadriceps muscles.
-
The vastus lateralis muscle is on the lateral side of the femur (i.e. on the outer side of the thigh).
-
The Vastus medialis is on the medial side of the femur (i.e. on the inner part thigh).
-
The vastus intermedius muscle lies between vastus lateralis and vastus medialis on the front of the femur (i.e. on the top or front of the thigh), but deep to the rectus femoris muscle. Typically, it cannot be seen without dissection of the rectus femoris.
Attachments
The rectus femoris arises from the anterior inferior iliac spine and from the superior edge of the
acetabulum.
It is thus a biarticular muscle. The other parts of the quadriceps arise from the surface of the femur. All four parts of the quadriceps muscle ultimately insert into the tuberosity of the tibia via the
patella, where the quadriceps tendon becomes the
patellar tendon.
Other muscles
There is a small fifth muscle of the quadriceps complex—the articularis genus muscle—that is not often included.
In addition, cadaver studies have confirmed the presence of a sixth muscle, the tensor vastus intermedius.
Innervation
The quadriceps femoris is innervated by the femoral nerve, which originates from L2, L3, L4.
Function
All four quadriceps are powerful extensors of the knee joint.
They are crucial in
walking,
running,
jumping and squatting. Because the rectus femoris attaches to the ilium, it is also a flexor of the hip.
This action is also crucial to walking or running, as it swings the leg forward into the ensuing step. The quadriceps, specifically the vastus medialis, play the important role of stabilizing the patella and the knee joint during
gait.
[Therapeutic Exercises, Carolyn Kisner & Lynn A. Colby, 5th ed. (2002) 692-93.]
Clinical significance
The quadriceps femoris muscle is a target for
manual therapy and
physical therapy from repetitive strain injuries, such as from
skiing.
The quadriceps femoris muscle is the most common site of myositis ossificans.
Society and culture
Training
In strength training, the quadriceps are trained by several leg exercises including the squat,
leg press, and
leg extension.
Etymology
The proper Latin plural form of the adjective
quadri would be
quadricipites. In modern English usage,
quadriceps is used in both the singular and plural form. The singular form
quadricep, produced by
back-formation, is frequently used.
==Additional images==
See also
External links
