Quadriceps
The quadriceps femoris muscle, also called the quadriceps extensor, quadriceps or quads is a large muscle group that includes four large muscles on the front of the thigh. These are the only muscles in the human body that can extend the knee.
Structure
Parts
The Quadriceps are divided into four different muscles, also called the 'heads'[1][2]
- The rectus femoris muscle is located in the middle of the thigh, covering most of the other three quadriceps muscles.[1] It originates from the hip bone. It is named for its straight course.
- The vastus lateralis muscle is on the outer side of the thigh.[1]
- The vastus medialis muscle is on the inner part of the thigh.[1]
- The vastus intermedius muscle lies between vastus lateralis and vastus medialis on the front of the femur, but deeper than the rectus femoris muscle.[1]
Quadriceps Media
The leg extension is an isolation exercise for the quadriceps.
- Knee diagram.svg
The quadriceps tendon connects to the top part of the kneecap (patella)
Cross-section through the middle of the thigh
