Vastus lateralis

Functional Rehab Academy

Muscle origin
Intertrochanteric line, greater trochanter, gluteal tuberosity and linea aspera of Femur

Muscle insertion
Tibial tuberosity via patellar tendon (lateral condyle of Tibia) and Patella

Muscle function
Knee extension and tracking of Patella. External rotation of Tibia.

Nerve innervation
L2-4 (Lovett reactor – C2-4)

Primary muscle type
Phasic / Type IIx (65-75%)

Myofascial lines
Superficial front line

Primary inhibatory muscles
Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus, Biceps femoris, Vastus medialis, Popliteus, Gastrocnemius, Tibialis anterior

Organ relationship (T1-12, Sacrum, n. Vagus)

Thyroid (AK)
- Symp – T1-4 (Thyroid Plexus)
- Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
Pancreas (AK)
- Symp T5-10 (Celiac plexus)
- Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
Small intestine (AK)
- Symp – T5-12 (Celiac and superior Mesenteric plexus)
- Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
Large intestine (FA)
- Symp – T10-L2 (Mesenteric and Hypogastric plexus)
- Parasymp – CX (Vagus) and S2-S4 (Sacral plexus)
Kidney (FA)
- Symp – T10-L2 (Renal plexus)
- Parasymp – None (CX minimal)
Adrenal (FA)
- Symp – T8-L1 (Celiac and Renal plexus)
- Parasymp – None
Reproductive organs (FA)
- Symp – T10-L2 (Inferior Hypogastric, Ovarian and Testicular plexus)
- Parasymp – S2-4 (Sacral plexus)

Upper part

Client is supine with the knee bend, hip in slight internal rotation and foot placed slightly in abduction, so the that the foot is in a line out from the knee of the opposite lower leg. Fixate with one hand on the outside of the knee and place the other hand under the heel of the test leg. Start be applying pressure towards knee flexion and then try to bring the heel towards the opposite leg.

Middle part

Client is supine with the knee bend, hip in slight internal rotation and foot placed slightly in abduction, so the that the foot is in a line out from the middle of the calf of the opposite leg. Fixate with one hand on the outside of the knee and placed the other hand under the heel of the test leg. Start be applying pressure towards knee flexion and then try to bring the heel towards the opposite leg.

Client is supine with the knee bend, hip in slight internal rotation and foot placed slightly in abduction, so the that the foot is in a line out from the medial malleolus of the opposite leg. Fixate with one hand on the outside of the knee and placed the other hand under the heel of the test leg. Start be applying pressure towards knee flexion and then try to bring the heel towards the opposite leg.

Lower oblique part

Client is supine with the knee fully extended and in full external rotation. Placed one arm under the knee and with the hand on top of the knee of the opposite leg. Apply pressure towards knee flexion on the test leg with the opposite hand.

Functional anatomy for