Vastus intermedius (Musculus vastus intermedius)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The deepest quadriceps head, lying directly beneath the rectus femoris and attaching to the anterior femoral shaft. Not visible from the surface, yet a powerful knee extensor.
Origin & insertion
Origin: anterior and lateral surfaces of the femoral shaft. Insertion: patellar base via the deep layer of the common tendon.
Action
Knee extension.
Innervation
Femoral nerve (L2–L4)
Clinical notes
Post-traumatic myositis ossificans of the thigh most often affects this region after direct blows, with part of the muscle turning to bone.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Vastus intermedius?
The deepest quadriceps head, lying directly beneath the rectus femoris and attaching to the anterior femoral shaft. Not visible from the surface, yet a powerful knee extensor.
Why is the Vastus intermedius clinically important?
Post-traumatic myositis ossificans of the thigh most often affects this region after direct blows, with part of the muscle turning to bone.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details