
Muscle Anatomy
vastus lateralis
The vastus lateralis is a large muscle located halfway down the outer side of the thigh.
Origin
The vastus lateralis originates on the lateral surface of the femur from just below the upper head of the bone to almost the lower end.
Insertion
The vastus muscles run almost the entire length of the femur and converge into the quadriceps femoris tendon, which attaches to the patella bone (kneecap).
Function
Knee joint extension.