What is the group of four muscles on the front of the thigh called?

• A. Hamstrings
• B. Adductors
• C. Gluteals
• D. Quadriceps

Answer: (D)

The front of the thigh is made up of the quadriceps femoris, a four-headed muscle group. The name quadriceps literally means four heads, which matches its four muscles: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. Their main job is to extend the knee, powering actions like standing up, walking, and running. Rectus femoris also crosses the hip joint, so it can assist with hip flexion. This distinguishes it from other thigh groups: the hamstrings are at the back and bend the knee, the adductors are on the inner thigh and pull the leg inward, and the gluteals are in the buttocks and move the hip. So the four-front-thigh muscle group is the quadriceps.