Vastus intermedius muscle
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View a b's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Reabal Najjar had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Reabal Najjar's current disclosuresThe vastus intermedius muscle is one of the four quadriceps muscles in the anterior compartment of the thigh. It is located inferior to the rectus femoris muscle and between the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles.
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Summary
origin: upper two-thirds of the anterior and lateral surfaces of the femur
-
insertion
lateral margin of patella
lateral condyle of tibia
action: extends the leg at the knee joint
blood supply: lateral circumflex femoral and deep femoral arteries
innervation: femoral nerve (L2 - L4)
Gross anatomy
Origin
The vastus intermedius muscle originates from the upper two-thirds of the anterior and lateral surfaces of the femur.
Insertion
Along with other muscles of the quadriceps femoris, the vastus intermedius inserts on the tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament. Also, it attaches to the base of the patella.
Action
Like the other muscles forming the quadriceps femoris, the vastus intermedius muscle also extends the leg at the knee joint.
Arterial supply
The vastus intermedius muscle receives blood supply from the lateral circumflex femoral and deep femoral arteries.
Innervation
The vastus intermedius is innervated by the muscular branches of the femoral nerve (L2 - L4) that arises from the lumbar plexus.
Quiz questions
References
- 1. Gray's Anatomy for Students: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access, 3e. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:0702051314. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN:1451119453. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 3. Last's Anatomy. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:0702033944. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
Incoming Links
- Muscle contusion
- Undulating fascia sign
- Vastus lateralis muscle
- Quadriceps muscles
- Quadriceps tendon
- Prepatellar quadriceps continuation
- Rectus femoris muscle
- Quadriceps injury
- Femur
- Vastus medialis muscle
- Articularis genu muscle
- Femoral nerve
- Anterior compartment of the thigh
- Descending genicular artery
- Muscles of the lower limb
Related articles: Anatomy: Lower limb
- skeleton of the lower limb
- joints of the lower limb
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hip joint
- ligaments
- muscles
- additional structures
- hip joint capsule
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- iliotibial band
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hip bursae
- anterior
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posterolateral ligamentous complex
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