Vastus Intermedius

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Schematic of Anterior Thigh Muscles¹
1: Sartorius
2: Rectus Femoris
3: Vastus Medialis
4: Vastus Lateralis
Vastus Intermedius

Deep Layer of Anterior Thigh Muscle¹

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Vastus intermedius	Anterior Femoral shaft	Tibial tuberosity via Patellar ligament	Femoral n. L2 - L4	Knee: Extension

Origin

Femoral shaft (anterior side)¹

Insertion

Tibial tuberosity (via patellar lig.)¹

Nerve

Femoral N. (L2, L3, L4)¹

Action

Knee: Extension¹

Notes

“The vastus intermedius (see Fig. 19-7) has its origin in the proximal part of the femur, and its line of action is directly in line with the femur.”²

“The deepest quadriceps muscle, the vastus intermedius, is located primarily just deep to the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis. Deep to the vastus intermedius is the poorly defined articularis genu. This muscle contains a few slips of fibers that attach proximally to the anterior side of the distal femur, and then distally into the anterior capsule. This muscle pulls the capsule and synovial membrane proximally during active knee extension.303 The articularis genu is analogous to the poorly defined articularis cubiti at the elbow.”²

References

1.

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

2.

Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 5th ed. McGraw Hill Education; 2020.