"Quads" redirects here. For other uses see Quad
The ('''quadriceps''', '''quadriceps extensor''', '''quads''' or '''guads''') includes the four prevailing muscles on the front of the
Thigh . It is the great
Extensor Muscle of the knee, forming a large fleshy mass which covers the front and sides of the
Femur .
It is subdivided into separate portions, which have received distinctive names.
- Rectus Femoris occupies the middle of the thigh, covering most of the other three quadriceps muscles. It originates on the Ilium . It is named from its straight course.
- The other three lie deep to rectus femoris and originate from the body of the Femur , which they cover from the Trochanter s to the Condyle s:
- --- Vastus Lateralis is on the ''lateral side'' of the femur.
- --- Vastus Medialis is on the ''medial side'' of the femur.
- --- Vastus Intermedius lies between vastus lateralis and vastus medialis on the ''front'' of the femur.
All four parts of the quadriceps muscle attach to the
Patella via the
Quadriceps Tendon .
The quadriceps is also involved in
Lombard's Paradox .
All four quadriceps are powerful
Extensors of the
Knee joint. They are crucial in walking, running, jumping and squatting. Because
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.
