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Vastus lateralis

Contents

Anatomy

Position

  • Partly deep

Origin

  • Proximal part of linea intertrochea
  • Anterior and inferior part of trochanter major
  • Lateral side of tuberositas glutea
  • Proximal 1/2 of lateral side of linea aspera from trochanter major and down towards condylus lateralis femoris
  • Septum intermusculare lateralis

Insertion

  • Tuberositas tibia, via patellar ligament

Main function

  • Knee
    • Extension

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental
    • L2-L4
  • Peripheral
    • Nervus femoralis

Arterial supply

  • Femoral artery

Referred pain pattern

Vastus lateralis - pain pattern

Muscle Type

  • Phasic
    • Weakens when overactivated

Symptoms

  • 'Stuck' patella
  • Buckling knee syndrome
  • Pain inside knee joint
  • Weakness in extension of knee
  • Crepitation during movement of knee
  • Sleep disturbed due to knee or thigh pain

Muscle attachment zones

Vastus lateralis front view
Vastus lateralis posterior view

Videos

Short version

Detailed version

Myofascial lines

Superficial ventral line

Supportive dorsal line