Which statement correctly lists the muscles comprising the quadriceps femoris group?

Which statement correctly lists the muscles comprising the quadriceps femoris group?

• A. Rectus femoris
• B. Vastus lateralis and vastus medialis
• C. Rectus femoris and vastus lateralis
• D. Rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius

Answer: (D)

The quadriceps femoris is a four-muscle group on the front of the thigh that extends the knee. It includes rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. All four converge into the quadriceps tendon, which fans over the patella and continues as the patellar ligament to the tibial tuberosity. Because the question asks for a statement that correctly lists the muscles comprising this group, the best choice is the one that names all four muscles. Any option that leaves out one of them is incomplete. Note that vastus intermedius sits deep to the rectus femoris, between the other two vastus muscles, which is why it’s easy to overlook but still part of the group.

The quadriceps femoris is a four-muscle group on the front of the thigh that extends the knee. It includes rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. All four converge into the quadriceps tendon, which fans over the patella and continues as the patellar ligament to the tibial tuberosity. Because the question asks for a statement that correctly lists the muscles comprising this group, the best choice is the one that names all four muscles. Any option that leaves out one of them is incomplete. Note that vastus intermedius sits deep to the rectus femoris, between the other two vastus muscles, which is why it’s easy to overlook but still part of the group.