Vastus Intermedius Muscle: Anatomy & Function

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Vastus Intermedius

Written By: Chloe Wilson, BSc(Hons) PhysiotherapyReviewed by: KPE Medical Review Board

Vastus Intermedius is the deepest of the four quadriceps muscles, which work together to straighten the knee.

It plays a significant role in stepping activities such as climbing stairs, as well as in squatting down.

Vastus intermedius down the front of the thigh, in-between vastus medialis and vastus lateralis, and underneath rectus femoris.

It is the hardest of the quads muscles muscles to stretch due to it positioning.

Origin & Insertion

Vastus Intermedius arises from fleshy fibres from the upper two-thirds of the anterior and lateral surfaces of the shaft of the femur.

The muscles of the anterior thigh, highlighting vastus intermedius

The fibres run downwards forming a broad tendon on the more superficial aspect (known as a superficial aponeurosis) which attaches to the deep surface of rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and vastus medialis forming the deep part of the quadriceps tendon.

The quadriceps tendon attaches to the upper surface of the patella (kneecap), encompasses the patella and attaches to the tibial tuberosity via the ligamentum patellae.

Vastus Intermedialis is difficult to separate from vastus lateralis in the middle of the thigh and is frequently continuous with vastus medialis lower down, virtually impossible to separate.

Some of the deeper fibres of vastus intermedius attach to the superior aspect of the suprapatellar bursa which lies underneath the muscle. These fibres are referred to as the articularis genus, and arise from a small area on the lower third of the anterior femoral shaft, passing downwards to the bursa.

Vastus Intermedius is the hardest of the quadriceps muscles to stretch due to its position as the deepest and most central muscle. The other quadriceps muscles can be stretched by adding some bias to the stretch – rectus femoris by extending the hip and vastus lateralis and medialis by adding a sideways element to the stretch, usually through massage - vastus intermedialis is too deep to manipulate.

Function Of Vastus Intermedius

Vastus intermedius works with the other three quadriceps muscles to extend the knee and plays an important role in stepping activities e.g. stepping over objects and climbing stairs, as well as with squatting.

The main function of the articularis genus is to stop the synovial membrane from becoming trapped and interfering with normal knee movement.

Common Problems

The most common problems associated with vastus intermedius are:

Muscle Tightness: Tightness in vastus intermedius can irritate the underlying supra patellar bursa, resulting in knee bursitis
Muscle Strain: Over-stretching or overloading of vastus intermedius can cause a quads strain
Muscle Weakness: weakness in vastus medialis can affect knee movement and function, resulting in anterior knee pain

If you have knee pain from a problem with vastus intermedius have a look at:

Knee Muscles: Find out more about the muscles that control the knee, how they work and what can go wrong, including the other quadriceps muscles
Quads Stretches: Includes simple tests to see if your muscles are tight and some great stretches to improve flexibility
Quads Strengthening: Simple exercises to strength vastus intermedius and the other quads muscles
Knee Strengthening Exercises: A whole range of exercises to strengthen all of the different knee muscles, ranging from beginners to advanced

Summary

Muscle Group: Vastus Intermedius is the deepest of the Quadriceps

Action: Straightens the knee (extension)

Origin: Anterior and lateral surfaces of the femoral shaft and lower part of the lateral intermuscular septum

Insertion: Attaches to the deep surface of the other quadriceps tendon, the base of the patella, suprapatellar bursa and the tibia via the patella tendon

Nerve Supply: Femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4)

Functional Activities: Stepping activities such as climbing stairs and squatting

AKA: Vastus Intermedialis

Other Knee Muscles

Rectus FemorisVastus LateralisVastus MedialisVastus Intermedius

Biceps FemorisSemimembranosusSemitendinosusPopliteus

Gluteus MaximusGluteus MediusGastrocnemiusSoleus

Page Last Updated: 11/23/21Next Review Due: 11/23/23

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Home
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis Guide
- Diagnosis Chart
- Knee Symptoms
- Front Knee Pain
- Lateral Knee Pain
- Medial Knee Pain
- Pain Above Knee
- Pain Below Knee
- Pain Behind Knee
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- Calf Pain
- Burning Knee
- Hyperextended Knee
- Knee Locking
- Leg Cramps
- Knee Pain Bending
- Pain Kneeling
- Pain At Night
- Pain On Stairs
- Pain With Squats
- Popping Knee
- Running Knee Pain
- Sharp Knee Pain
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Conditions
- Conditions Guide
- Bakers Cyst
- Bipartite Patella
- Bone Spurs Knee
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- Chondromalacia
- Gout Knee
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- Housemaids Knee
- Infrapatellar Bursitis
- ITB Syndrome
- Osgood Schlatters
- Osteochondritis Dissecans
- Patella Alta
- Patellar Tendonitis
- Pes Anserine Bursitis
- Plica Syndrome
- Quads Tendonitis
- Runners Knee
- Suprapatellar Bursitis
Injuries
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- Meniscus Tear
- Knee Sprain
- ACL Injury
- PCL Injury
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- Top Tips For Stairs
- ACL Surgery
- Knee Replacements
- TKR
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Exercises
- Knee Exercise Guide
- How To Exercise
- Top Tips
- Beginners
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- Knee Stretches
- Quad Stretches
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- Strengthening Exs
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- Theraband Exs
- Kneecap Exercises
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- TKR Exs
- Knee Exercise Videos
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- Braces Guide
- Basic Supports
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- Elite Braces
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- Knee Straps
- Pull Up Sleeves
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- Hinged Braces
- Neoprene Braces
- Magnetic Braces
- Gel Knee Pads
Anatomy
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- Bursa
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- Cartilage/Meniscus
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Hip Pain
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- Hip Strength Exs
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- Front Hip Pain
- Outer Hip Pain
- Inner Hip Pain
- Upper Thigh Pain
- Hip ROM
- Hip Muscles
- Hip Impingement
- Hip Bursitis
- Hip Tendonitis
- Flexor Tendonitis
- Glute Tendonitis
- Labral Tear
- Groin Strain
- Hip Flexor Strain
- Ischial Bursitis
- Iliopsoas Bursitis
- Trochanteric Bursitis
- Osteitis Pubis
- SPD Pelvic Pain
- Meralgia Paraesthetica
- Snapping Hip
- Hip Pain At Night

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Tag » Where Is The Vastus Intermedius Located

Vastus Intermedius Muscle: Anatomy & Function

Origin & Insertion

Function Of Vastus Intermedius

Common Problems

Summary

Other Knee Muscles

Related Articles

Diagnosis

Conditions

Injuries

Arthritis

Treatment

Exercises

Braces

Anatomy

Hip Pain

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