Final answer:
The rectus femoris is a muscle located on the anterior aspect of the thigh, part of the quadriceps femoris group, primarily functioning to extend the knee and stabilize it by connecting to the patella via the quadriceps tendon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rectus femoris is one of the four muscles that make up the quadriceps femoris group, located on the anterior aspect of the thigh. It plays a crucial role in the anterior compartment of the thigh, which is dedicated to flexing the thigh and extending the leg.
The quadriceps femoris group, composed of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius, is involved in extending and stabilizing the knee. The shared quadriceps tendon, also known as the patellar tendon, connects these muscles to the patella, continuing as the patellar ligament and attaching to the tibial tuberosity.