Lower limb
Vastus Lateralis
Musculus vastus lateralis
- Origin
- Lateral lip of the linea aspera, greater trochanter and the intertrochanteric region of the femur
- Insertion
- Via the quadriceps tendon onto the patella and further via the patellar ligament onto the tibial tuberosity
- Function
- Extends the knee
- Innervation
- Femoral nerve (L2-L4)
- Movement & chain
- Largest of the four quadriceps heads; contributes strongly to lateral tracking of the patella, where balance with vastus medialis obliquus is important.
- Palpation
- Lateral side of the thigh, easily felt during resisted knee extension.
- Clinical
- Imbalance with vastus medialis plays a role in patellofemoral pain and lateral patellar tracking.
- Segmental innervation
- Femoral nerve, L2-L4.
- In clinical practice
- Standard injection site for intramuscular injections and vaccinations in infants (anterolateral thigh, vastus lateralis location).
- Region in the model
- Lower limb