Also called: quadriceps, quads
The quadriceps femoris is the four-headed muscle group on the front of the thigh: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and vastus intermedius. The femoral nerve supplies all four. They share the quadriceps tendon, patella and patellar ligament to insert on the tibial tuberosity, and they extend the knee.
| Origin | Rectus femoris: anterior inferior iliac spine. Vasti: proximal femur (greater trochanter, linea aspera and anterior femoral shaft). |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Tibial tuberosity via the quadriceps tendon, patella and patellar ligament. |
| Innervation | Femoral nerve (L2-L4). |
| Blood supply | Lateral circumflex femoral artery (descending branch), femoral artery and profunda femoris. |
| Action | Extends the knee; rectus femoris also flexes the hip. |
3D model: BodyParts3D (CC BY 4.0), adult male reference anatomy. Highlighted structure shown with nearby bones for context.
The quadriceps is the strongest muscle group of the lower limb and is essential for standing up, climbing and absorbing landing forces.
Rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and vastus intermedius.
The femoral nerve.
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