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Quadriceps or multiceps femoris?-Cadaveric study
Łukasz Olewnik1, Richard Shane Tubbs2,3,4, Kacper Ruzik5
1Department of Anatomical Dissection and Donation, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.)
|July 10, 2020
Summary
A study of 106 lower limbs found that additional quadriceps femoris (QF) heads occur in 64.1% of cases. A new classification is needed to describe these variations in QF muscle anatomy.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Human Anatomy
- Morphology
Background:
- The quadriceps femoris (QF) is crucial for knee extension and ambulation.
- While a fifth head of the QF has been studied, other variations and their prevalence are unclear.
- Accurate classification of QF proximal attachments is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the frequency and classification of additional heads/components of the quadriceps femoris muscle.
- Establish a new classification system for QF proximal attachments.
Main Methods:
- Dissection and examination of 106 lower limbs (34 male, 18 female) preserved in formalin.
- Systematic analysis of quadriceps femoris muscle variations.
Main Results:
- Additional QF heads were observed in 64.1% of the examined limbs.
- Three main types of variations were identified: Type I (independent fifth head, 44.1%), Type II (originating from other muscles, 30.8%), and Type III (multiple heads, 25%).
- Subtypes were defined based on location, origin, and number of heads/tendons.
Conclusions:
- The high frequency of QF variations necessitates a new classification based on proximal attachments.
- The presence of fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth QF heads is variable and requires further anatomical description.
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