Quadriceps Femoris Muscles

A large, fleshy group called the "quadriceps femoris" occupies the front and sides of the thigh and is primary extensor of the knee. It is composed of four parts - "rectus femoris," "vastus lateralis," "vastus medialis," and "vastus intermedius." These parts connect the ilium and femur to a common "patellar tendon," which passes over the front of the knee and attaches to the patella (knee cap). This tendon then continues as the "patellar ligament" to the tibia (lower leg bone.)