First Known Use: 1840
Dictionary
quadriceps
noun quad·ri·ceps \ˈkwä-drə-ˌseps\
: a large muscle at the front of your upper leg
plural quadriceps also quadriceps·es
Full Definition of QUADRICEPS
: the greater extensor muscle of the front of the thigh that is divided into four parts
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Origin of QUADRICEPS
New Latin quadricipit-, quadriceps, from quadri- + -cipit-, -ceps (as in bicipit-, biceps biceps)
Medical Dictionary
quadriceps
noun quad·ri·ceps \ˈkwäd-rə-ˌseps\
Medical Definition of QUADRICEPS
: a large extensor muscle of the front of the thigh divided above into four parts which include the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis, and which unite in a single tendon to enclose the patella as a sesamoid bone at the knee and insert as the patellar ligament into the tuberosity of the tibia—called also quadriceps femoris, quadriceps muscle
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