Logan Steele
The vastus lateralis is the largest of the four or five quadriceps muscles, located on the outside of the thigh. It is the most powerful part of the quadriceps femoris, a muscle in the thigh. The vastus lateralis works with the other quad muscles to extend the knee joint, allowing for movements such as kicking, running, jumping, and walking. The muscle is innervated by the femoral nerve and receives its blood supply from the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Injuries to the vastus lateralis can be rehabilitated through various exercises, with recovery times ranging from six to eight weeks on average.
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Location and structure
The vastus lateralis muscle is the largest and most powerful part of the quadriceps femoris, a muscle in the thigh. It is also called the vastus externus. The vastus lateralis is the largest of the five quad muscles.
The vastus lateralis is a unipennate muscle and a member of the anterior compartment of the thigh. It is one of the four muscles that make up the quadriceps muscle group: the rectus 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. The muscle descends through the lateral part of the anterior thigh compartment and inserts into the base of the patella via the quadriceps tendon. The vastus lateralis is the recommended site for intramuscular injection in infants less than 7 months old and those unable to walk, with loss of muscular tone.
The vastus lateralis muscle arises 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. The fibres of this muscle converge and contribute to the quadriceps tendon, insert on the lateral aspect of the patella, and terminally insert on the tibial tuberosity via the patellar tendon. The vastus lateralis may have two insertional heads in approximately 60% of specimens. These two heads are referred to as the vastus lateralis long head (VLL) and the vastus lateralis obliquus (VLO).
The VL is bordered laterally by subcutaneous tissue, and medially, it is bordered by the femur and the VI at the level of the greater trochanter. The RF forms the anteromedial border while the posteromedial aspect of the VL is bordered by the intermuscular septum, sciatic nerve, and biceps femoris muscle at the level of the greater trochanter. The vastus lateralis functions as a primary extender of the knee. In conjunction with the VM, the VL stabilizes the knee joint. The VL is part of the intermediate layer of the quadriceps tendon. The other part of the intermediate layer is the VM.
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Function
The vastus lateralis is the largest and most powerful of the four quadriceps muscles, located on the outside of the thigh. It is a flat, broad muscle that arises from tendons attached to the femur and joins the other muscles of the quadriceps in the quadriceps tendon, which travels over the knee to connect to the tibia.
The main function of the vastus lateralis is to work with the other quadriceps muscles to extend the knee joint, allowing the lower leg to move forward. This is essential for functional activities such as walking, running, climbing stairs, and rising from a seated position. The muscle also helps to maintain the position of the thigh and kneecap during these movements.
The vastus lateralis is innervated by the femoral nerve, which arises from the lumbar levels L2, L3, and L4. Blood supply to the muscle is provided by the lateral circumflex femoral artery of the upper thigh.
Injuries to the vastus lateralis can be common and often involve strains or "pulled quads" due to overstretched muscle fibres. Recovery from such injuries typically takes around six to eight weeks, although this can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Rehabilitation may include quad stretching and functional training to improve mobility and restore normal function to the muscle group.
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Innervation
The vastus lateralis muscle is the largest of the four quadriceps muscles, which are located on the lateral side of the thigh. The quadriceps muscles act on the knee and hip to promote movement, strength and stability. The vastus lateralis muscle is responsible for extending the knee joint, moving the lower leg forward.
Regarding innervation, the vastus lateralis muscle is controlled by the femoral nerve, specifically arising from the lumbar (lower back) levels two, three, and four (L2-L4). The femoral nerve plays a crucial role in the functioning of the vastus lateralis and the overall movement of the lower limbs.
The femoral nerve provides innervation to the vastus lateralis muscle through its muscular branches. These branches extend to supply the muscle with the necessary electrical impulses for contraction and relaxation. The nerve fibres travel through the psoas major muscle, a deep muscle in the lumbar region, and then pass through the lacuna vasorum, a small opening in the iliopsoas muscle, to reach the vastus lateralis.
Additionally, the femoral nerve divides into anterior and posterior branches, both of which contribute to the innervation of the vastus lateralis muscle. The anterior branch provides motor innervation to the muscle, enabling it to contract and relax during movements such as walking, running, and climbing stairs. The posterior branch, also known as the saphenous nerve, provides sensory innervation to the medial side of the knee and lower leg.
The vastus lateralis muscle works in conjunction with the other quadriceps muscles to maintain the position of the patella (kneecap) in the femoral groove of the thigh bone. Proper functioning of the vastus lateralis and its innervation by the femoral nerve are essential for stabilising the knee joint and ensuring smooth and pain-free movements.
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Blood supply
The vastus lateralis is the largest and most powerful part of the quadriceps femoris, a muscle in the thigh. It is the largest of the four muscles that make up the quadriceps, which also include the rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis. Together, the quadriceps act on the knee and hip to promote movement, strength, and stability.
The vastus lateralis receives blood supply from three sources:
- The superior medial artery, a branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.
- The inferior medial artery, a branch of the artery of the quadriceps.
- The lateral artery, which is the first perforator of the deep femoral artery.
The lateral circumflex femoral artery and the superficial circumflex iliac artery also contribute to the blood supply of the rectus femoris, another muscle in the quadriceps group, but to a lesser extent.
The vastus lateralis is innervated by the muscular branches of the femoral nerve (L2, L3, and L4).
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Injury and rehabilitation
The vastus lateralis muscle is the largest of the quadriceps muscles, located on the lateral (outer) side of the front of the thigh. It is responsible for extending the knee and is active during functional activities like walking, running, climbing stairs, and rising from a seated position.
Injuries to the vastus lateralis muscle are common, especially in athletes and active adults. The most common type of injury is a vastus lateralis strain, which occurs when a sudden force is applied to the thigh, causing the muscle to stretch or tear. Other possible injuries include patellar tendinitis, iliotibial band friction syndrome, and patellofemoral stress syndrome (PFSS). Symptoms of an injured vastus lateralis include pain, swelling, bruising, and limited walking ability.
Rehabilitation of a vastus lateralis injury typically involves a combination of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE protocol) in the initial stages. Ice can help control pain, reduce swelling, and decrease inflammation. After the acute phase, rehabilitation focuses on restoring muscle function and improving knee stability. Quadriceps stretches are often prescribed to increase mobility and function, such as the prone towel quad stretch and the half-kneeling quad and hip flexor stretch. Myofascial release techniques and trigger point therapy can also help alleviate pain and improve muscle health.
In more severe cases, such as a complete rupture (Grade 3 strain), the recovery process may be longer. Physical therapy is often recommended to improve tissue mobility and quadriceps motion. Heat therapy, cryotherapy, and manual therapy may be used to reduce pain and improve circulation. As rehabilitation progresses, functional training is incorporated to ensure the quad is functioning normally and to prevent future injuries. Most vastus lateralis and quadriceps injuries heal within eight weeks, but it is important to seek professional advice for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Frequently asked questions
The vastus lateralis is a muscle located on the outside of your thigh.
The vastus lateralis muscle works with the other quad muscles to extend the knee joint. It is also active in maintaining the position of the thigh and kneecap during walking and running.
The vastus lateralis originates on the upper inter-trochanteric line of the femur or thigh bone. It inserts as part of the lateral quadriceps tendon on the tibial tubercle, an elevated portion of the upper shin.
The vastus lateralis is innervated by the muscular branches of the femoral nerve (L2, L3, and L4).
The blood supply to the vastus lateralis muscle is via the lateral circumflex femoral artery of the upper thigh.
