The quadriceps (or 'quads') muscle is the large muscle at the front of the thigh, and is composed of four heads.

Illustration showing three of the heads of quadriceps. The fourth head - vastus intermedius - is not seen here as it lies underneath the rectus femoris.
Four heads
The term 'quadri-ceps' means 'four heads' - as the muscle has four separate components that join into a common tendon, the quads tendon. The four heads of the quads include:
- the central portion - the rectus femoris
- an inner portion - the vastus medialis
- an outer portion - the vastus lateralis
- a portion underneath the rectus femoris - the vastus intermedius
Synonyms:
Quads
-
-
CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS
Sonography of the quadriceps muscle: Examination technique, normal anatomy, and traumatic lesions. Pasta G, Nanni G, Molini L and Bianchid S. J Ultrasound. 2010 Jun; 13(2): 76–84.
See also -
- Rectus femoris
- Vastus intermedius
- Vastus lateralis
- Vastus medialis
- Vastus Intermedius
- Quads tendon rupture