Definition of quadriceps
quadriceps
alsoquadricepses
: the greater extensor muscle of the front of the thigh that is divided into four parts
From the M-W Editors
Examples of quadriceps in a Sentence
He felt a pain in his right quadriceps.
Recent Examples of quadriceps from the Web
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Sporting KC defender Kevin Ellis is dealing with a quadriceps muscle strain suffered in the loss to Vancouver on May 20.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quadriceps'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of quadriceps
New Latin quadricipit-, quadriceps, from quadri- + -cipit-, -ceps (as in bicipit-, biceps biceps)
First Known Use: 1840
QUADRICEPS Defined for English Language Learners
quadriceps
playDefinition of quadriceps for English Language Learners
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: a large muscle at the front of your upper leg
Medical Dictionary
quadriceps
playMedical 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 tendon into the tuberosity of the tibia—called also quadriceps femoris, quadriceps muscle
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