The 'quads' is a short name for the 'Quadriceps muscle'.

quadriceps muscles

 

Illustration showing three of the heads of quadriceps. The fourth head - vastus intermedius - is not seen here as it lies underneath the rectus femoris.

quadriceps muscle group

 

Quads contraction, showing how the rectus femoris takes much of the load as the knee extends.

Synonyms: 
Quadriceps muscle
-

Dr Sheila Strover (Editor)
BSc (Hons), MB BCh, MBA

See biography...