Quadriceps Muscles:
Quadriceps Femoris Anatomy & Exercises

The quadriceps muscles, or the quadriceps femoris, which is comprised of the four muscle heads in the front of the thigh, is the strongest muscle group in the human body.

The quads are primarily responsible for the extension of the leg at the knee joint, such as when you kick a ball or jump up in the air.

On this page, you can find all information you'd want about the quadriceps muscles. Learn its anatomy, view pictures and discover the best exercises for training it.

Use the table of contents (TOC) on the right to easily navigate through this guide.

Other Names

• Front thigh
• Quads
• Upper legs

Quadriceps Femoris

Anatomy

Rectus Femoris

Origin

• Ilium

Insertion

• Tibial tuberosity

Function

• Hip flexion
• Knee extension

Vastus Lateralis

Origin

• Femur

Function

• Knee extension

Insertion

• Tibial tuberosity

Function

• Knee extension

Vastus Medialis

Origin

• Femur

Insertion

• Tibial tuberosity

Function

• Knee extension

Vastus Intermedius

Origin

• Femur

Insertion

• Tibial tuberosity

Function

• Knee extension

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Quadriceps Exercises

Barbell

• Barbell 1-Legged Split Squats
• Barbell Lunges
• Barbell Squats
• Barbell Step Ups
• Barbell Front Squats
• Trap Bar Squat

Dumbbell

• Dumbbell Lunges
• Dumbbell Squats
• Dumbbell Step Ups
• Dumbbell Front Squats
• Dumbbell 1-Legged Split Squats

Sled

• Backward Sled Drags
• Bear Crawl Sled Drags

Bodyweight

• Bodyweight Lunges
• Bodyweight Step Ups
• Jump Squats
• Pistols
• Sissy Squats
• Wall Squats

Machine

• 1-Legged Leg Press
• Hack Squats
• Leg Extension
• Leg Press

Stretches

• Standing Quadriceps Stretch
• Lying Quadriceps Stretch (prone position)
• Lying Quadriceps Stretch (side position)

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Related Muscles

• Iliopsoas
• Pectineus
• Sartorius
• Tensor Fasciae Latae

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