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Anatomy 101: quadriceps: learn the inner workings of this four-headed monster - The Iron Manual - Brief Article
Men's Fitness, Feb, 2004
THE QUADRICEPS IS a muscle group with four distinct "heads" located on the front of your thigh. Its main function is to extend the knee--so any time you stand or straighten your legs, those bad boys are at work. Each of the four heads originates in a different place on the body, but all four come together at the quadriceps tendon and connect on the kneecap.
1. Rectus Femoris (REK-TUSS FEM-ORRIS)
* This is the longest of the four "heads" that make up the quadriceps.
* It's the only two-joint muscle of the group, crossing both the knee and hip joint, so it's also involved in flexing the hip (lifting your upper leg).
2. Vastus Lateralis (VASS-TUSS LATTER-AL-ISS)
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* This muscle forms the outer portion of your upper thigh.
* It originates at the top of the femur, your upper-leg bone.
3. Vastus Medialis (VASS-TUSS MEEDY-AL-ISS)
* This forms the "teardrop" muscle on the inside of the knee and is responsible for stabilizing the kneecap.
* It originates on the upper two-thirds of the front of the femur.
4. Vastus Intermedius (VASS-TUSS ENTERMEEDY-US)
* It's located beneath the rectus femoris.
* It originates near the top of the femur.
Fast fact: A weak vastus medialis is often the source of "patella-femoral syndrome," a cause of knee pain in runners.
Training tip: Skip the knee extensions if you have a history of knee pain, and do squats instead. When your leg is extended parallel with the floor (completely straight) during extensions, the stress of the weight is placed on your ligaments, not your bones--as it is with squats.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
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