Vastus Lateralis (VL) – Origin, Nerve Supply, Function

Vastus Lateralis (VL) is a unipennate muscle, and a member of the anterior compartment of the thigh along with the sartorius, quadriceps femoris, rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), and vastus intermedius (VI) muscles. The VL is 1 of the 4 component muscles of the quadriceps muscle group: rector femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. The vastus lateralis is the largest component of the quadriceps muscle groups and is positioned laterally about the femur.

Origin

• The vastus lateralis muscle origin from several areas of the femur, including the upper part of the intertrochanteric line; the lower, anterior borders of the greater trochanter, to the outer border of the gluteal tuberosity, and the upper half of the outer border of the linea aspera.
• These form an aponeurosis, a broad flat tendon that covers the upper three-quarters of the muscle. From the inner surface of the aponeurosis, many muscle fibers originate. Some additional fibers arise from the tendon of the gluteus maximus muscle, and from the septum between the vastus lateralis and short head of the biceps femoris.

Insertion

• Quadriceps tendon to base of patella and onto tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament. The vastus lateral passes over the knee and inserts along with the other muscles of the quadriceps femoris onto the tibial tuberosity.
• The fibers form a large fleshy mass, attached to a second strong aponeurosis, placed on the deep surface of the lower part of the muscle. This lower aponeurosis becomes contracted and thickened into a flat tendon that attaches to the outer border of the patella and subsequently joins with the quadriceps femoris tendon, expanding the capsule of the knee joint.

Nerves

• The VL is innervated by penetrating muscular branches of the femoral nerve. The nerve roots involved include L2, L3, and L4. The predominant nerve root responsible for VL action is L3.
• The vastus lateralis muscle is innervated by the muscular branches of the femoral nerve (L2, L3, and L4).

Blood Supply and Lymphatics

The lateral circumflex femoral artery has three main branches

• Ascending, transverse, and descending. The muscle also receives some blood supply from perforating arteries of the deep artery of the thigh, also known as the profundal femoris.
• The lateral circumflex femoral artery primarily supplies the vastus lateralis.
• The perforating arteries pierce the lateral intermuscular septum to gain access to the anterior compartment of the thigh.
• The parent artery, artery arises from the lateral or posterior side of the femoral artery in the femoral triangle. Venous drainage of the VL is achieved through the perforating veins of the deep femoral vein, the lateral femoral circumflex vein, and other unnamed veins from the superficial venous circulation.
• Larger named veins in the area that assist with drainage are named akin to the corresponding artery.

References

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