Quadriceps femoris muscle 911778 225161724 2008-07-12T05:49:48Z Thijs!bot 1392310 robot Adding: [[ro:Cvadriceps]] {{Infobox Muscle | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = musculus quadriceps femoris | GraySubject = 128 | GrayPage = 470 | Image = Illu lower extremity muscles.jpg | Caption = Muscles of lower extremity. ([[Rectus femoris]] removed to reveal the [[vastus intermedius]].) | Image2 = | Caption2 = | Origin = combined [[rectus femoris]] and [[vastus]] muscles | Insertion = tibial tuberosity | Blood = [[femoral artery]] | Nerve = [[Femoral nerve]] | Action = [[Knee]] [[Extension (kinesiology)|extension]]; [[Hip]] [[flexion]] (R.Fem. only) | Antagonist | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = m_22 | DorlandsSuf = 12550408 }} :''"Quads" redirects here. For other uses see [[Quad]]'' The '''quadriceps femoris''' ('''quadriceps''', '''quadriceps extensor''', '''guads''' or '''quads''') 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 (bone)|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]]. ==Actions== All four quadriceps are powerful [[extensor muscle|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 muscle|flexor]] of the hip. This action is also crucial to walking or running as it swings the leg forward into the ensuing step. {{br}} ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Knee diagram.png|Knee diagram Image:Gray351.png|Capsule of right knee-joint (distended). Lateral aspect. Image:Gray432 color.png|Cross-section through the middle of the thigh. Image:Gray430.png|Anterior aspect of right leg. Image:Gray1238.png|Front and medial aspect of right thigh. Image:Gray1240.png|Lateral aspect of right leg. Image:LegExtensionMachineExercise.JPG|The ''leg extension'' is an isolation exercise. </gallery> ==External links== * {{DukeOrtho|quadriceps_muscle}} * {{Exrx|Muscles/Quadriceps}} * {{RocheLexicon|39960.000-1}} *[http://www.fitstep.com/Advanced/Anatomy/Quadriceps.htm Anatomy of the Quadriceps Muscles - Fitstep.com] {{Gray's}} {{Muscles of lower limb}} [[Category:Thigh muscles]] [[de:Musculus quadriceps femoris]] [[es:Cuádriceps]] [[fr:Muscle quadriceps fémoral]] [[it:Muscolo quadricipite femorale]] [[he:השריר הארבע ראשי]] [[la:Musculus quadriceps femoris]] [[nl:Musculus quadriceps femoris]] [[ja:大腿四頭筋]] [[pl:Mięsień czworogłowy uda]] [[pt:Quadríceps]] [[ro:Cvadriceps]] [[sl:Štiriglava stegenska mišica]] [[fi:Nelipäinen reisilihas]] [[sv:Quadriceps]] [[zh:股四頭肌]]