SUMMARY Vastus lateralis Origin Superior portion of intertrochanteric line, anterior and inferior borders of greater trochanter, superior portion of lateral lip of linea aspera, and lateral portion of gluteal tuberosity of femur Insertion Lateral base and border of patella; also forms the lateral patellar retinaculum and lateral side of quadriceps femoris tendon Action Extends the knee Innervation Muscular branches of femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4) Arterial Supply Lateral circumflex femoral artery Innervation Vastus lateralis is supplied by the muscular branches of the femoral nerve Primary nerves of the anterior thigh obturator nerve femoral nerve origin login to view 1 more bullet motor login to view 5 more bullets sensory login to view 1 more bullet course login to view 4 more bullets Blood Supply Vastus lateralis is primarily supplied by lateral circumflex artery, a branch of femoral artery Femoral artery branches in thigh profunda femoris medial femoral circumflex lateral femoral circumflex login to view 7 more bullets Cross Sectional Anatomy Vastus lateralis lies in the anterior compartment of the thigh anterior compartment consists of rectus femoris (femoral n.) vastus lateralis (femoral n.) vastus medialis (femoral n.) vastus lateralis (femoral n.) vastus lateralis is bordered by at the level of the greater trochanter login to view 12 more bullets Relevant Surgical Approaches Hip Anterolateral Approach (Watson-Jones) Hip Direct Lateral Approach (Hardinge, Transgluteal) Hip Posterior Approach (Moore or Southern) Femur Lateral Approach Femur Posterolateral Approach Related Anatomy Quadriceps contusion Clinical Conditions Quadriceps contusion