Vastus medialis
Musculus vastus medialis
MuscularSuperficial musclesLegLeft and right
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- What it is
- The teardrop-shaped bulge above and inside the knee. It arises from the intertrochanteric line and medial lip of the linea aspera; its lowest, almost horizontal fibres (vastus medialis obliquus) insert on the medial border of the patella and the quadriceps tendon.
- Function
- Extends the knee and holds the patella medially in its groove during the last degrees of extension.
- Size
- About 30 cm long; the teardrop is about 7 cm wide and 3 cm thick above the knee.
- Clinical note
- Wastes quickly after knee injury or surgery; weakness of its oblique fibres is linked to patellofemoral pain and lateral patellar maltracking.