The vastus intermedius is one of the quadriceps muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh.
The quadriceps muscles are made up of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius. The other muscles in the anterior compartment is the sartorius, and within the upper part of the anterior compartment are the distal ends of the ilacus and psoas major muscles.
Origin
- Superior half of anterior and lateral surfaces of femur
Insertion
- Base of patella (and then onto the tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament)
Action
- Extends the knee
Innervation
- Muscular branches of femoral nerve: L2,L3, L4
Blood Supply
- Lateral circumflex femoral artery