Which muscle is primarily responsible for the extension of the leg at the knee?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which muscle is primarily responsible for the extension of the leg at the knee? (2022)
Quadriceps femoris
Hamstrings
Gastrocnemius
Sartorius
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which muscle is primarily responsible for the extension of the leg at the knee? (2022)
Step 1: Understand what 'extension of the leg at the knee' means. This refers to straightening the leg at the knee joint.
Step 2: Identify the main muscles involved in moving the leg at the knee. The quadriceps femoris is a group of muscles located at the front of the thigh.
Step 3: Learn that the quadriceps femoris muscle is made up of four parts: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius.
Step 4: Recognize that when the quadriceps femoris contracts, it pulls on the patella (kneecap) and helps to straighten the leg.
Step 5: Conclude that the quadriceps femoris muscle is primarily responsible for extending the leg at the knee joint.
