Vastus lateralis muscle

Vastus lateralis muscle

Muscles of lower extremity (rectus femoris have been removed)

Vastus lateralis
Details
Latin Musculus vastus lateralis or musculus vastus externus
Greater trochanter, Intertrochanteric line, and Linea aspera of the Femur
Patella via the Quadriceps tendon and Tibial tuberosity via the Patellar ligament
lateral circumflex femoral artery
femoral nerve
Actions Extends and stabilizes knee
Antagonist
 Hamstring
Identifiers
Gray's p.470
TA A04.7.02.021
FMA 22431
Anatomical terms of muscle

The Vastus lateralis (/ˈvæstəsˌlætəˈreɪlɨs/ or /ˈvæstəsˌlætəˈrælɨs/); (vastus externus) is the largest part of the quadriceps femoris. It arises by a broad aponeurosis, which is attached to the upper part of the intertrochanteric line, to the anterior and inferior borders of the greater trochanter, to the lateral lip of the gluteal tuberosity, and to the upper half of the lateral lip of the linea aspera; this aponeurosis covers the upper three-quarters of the muscle, and from its deep surface many fibers take origin.

A few additional fibres arise from the tendon of the gluteus maximus, and from the lateral intermuscular septum between the vastus lateralis and short head of the biceps femoris. The fibers form a large fleshy mass, which is attached to a strong aponeurosis, placed on the deep surface of the lower part of the muscle: this aponeurosis becomes contracted and thickened into a flat tendon inserted into the lateral border of the patella, blending with the quadriceps femoris tendon, and giving an expansion to the capsule of the knee-joint.

Additional images

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links