The Quadriceps Muscles

The Quadriceps (Fig 4)

 Muscle                Origin                 Insertion           Action       Nerve     Palpation    Image

rectus femoris Anterior aspect illium Base of the patella and patellar ligament to the tibial tiberosity extends leg, flexes thigh femoral nerve Anterior surface of the thigh
vastus lateralis) Outer surface femur(back of femur) and upper half of the aspera  lateral part of patella and patellar ligament to the  tibial tuberosity extends  the leg femoral nerve Lateral middle side of the thigh
vastus medialis) Whole length of the linea aspera of femur and medial surface of the femur Inner half of the upper border of the patella and patellar ligament to the tibial tubersosity extends  the leg femoral nerve Anterior medial side of the thigh near the knee joint
vastus intermedius) anterior and lateral surface of femur  Base of the patella and patellar ligament to the tibial tubersosity extends leg femoral nerve  

Cannot be pelpated ( under the rectus femoris muscle)

 

quads