Synonyms
Latin: Musculus quadriceps femoris
Definition
The four-headed thigh muscle lies on the front of the thigh and consists of four parts. As the name suggests, it is made up of four heads, which originate in the pelvis and upper thigh area, and are joined together in the direction of the knee or lower leg to form the largest thigh muscle. The four individual muscles have the following proper names: When the four-headed thigh muscle contracts, it stretches the leg in the knee joint.
A special feature of the muscle is that it encompasses the kneecap (patella). This means that its tendons stretch from the lower thigh around the kneecap to its attachment to the upper lower leg. Bone with this anatomical peculiarity, which also occurs in other parts of the body, is called sesamoid bone. The famous patella tendon below the patella is therefore the attachment tendon of the quadriceps muscle of the thigh on the lower leg.
- Grader muscle of the thigh (Musculus rectus femoris)
- Broad muscle of the thigh (Musculus vastus medialis) located towards the middle of the body
- Thigh muscle (Musculus vastus intermedius)
- Outer broad thigh muscle (Musculus vastus lateralis)
History
Grader thigh muscle – Musculus rectus femoris Approach: Bone roughening of the upper front tibia – Tuberositas tibiae Origin: Anterior lower tip of the ilium (pelvis) – Spina iliaca anterior inferior innervation: Femoral nerve (segments L2-L4) Femoral broad muscle of the thigh located towards the middle of the body – Musculus vastus medialis Approach: Bone roughening of the upper front tibia – Tibial tuberosity Origin: Inner side of the rear thigh Innervation: Femoral nerve (segments L2-L4) Medial broad thigh muscle – Musculus vastus intermedius Approach: Bone roughening of the upper front tibia – Tibial tuberosity Origin: Upper two-thirds of the femur Innervation: Femoral nerve (segments L2-L4) Outer broad muscle of the femur – Musculus vastus lateralis Approach: Bone roughening of the upper front tibia – Tibial tuberosity Origin: Outer part of the femur, and Large trochanter – Major trochanter and rough line – Linea aspera Innervation: Femoral nerve (segments L2-L4)
