Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively describe the anatomy
of the QT including its size, its layers and relationship between layers.
Methods
Sixty lower limbs (15 females and 15 males fixed in 10% formalin were examined. A
retrospective analysis of 20 thigh MRI examinations was performed (10 males, and 10
females).
Results
In all dissected specimens, the quadriceps femoris was composed of 4 layers: superficial
(first layer), middle (second layer), middle-deep (third layer) and deep (fourth layer).
The first layer (superficial) was formed by the rectus femoris tendon and fascia.
The second layer was composed of tendons of the vastus medialis and superficial part
of the vastus lateralis. The third layer was formed by the intermediate part of the
vastus lateralis. The fourth layer was composed of the tendon of the vastus intermedius.
This type of anatomy was visualized in 4 males and 2 female on MRI scans.
Conclusion
The findings of this study provide a detailed anatomy of the quadriceps tendon. There
were 4 different layers of the QT consistently found in all specimens. The first layer
was independent and composed by the rectus femoris tendon, the second was formed by
the superficial part of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis. The third layer
was formed by the intermediate part of the vastus lateralis, and the deepest fourth
layer was composed of the vastus intermedius. This detailed structural anatomy was
also able to be visualized on MRI scans.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 20, 2022
Accepted:
November 3,
2022
Received in revised form:
September 27,
2022
Received:
June 11,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
