Dog · Muscle · Pelvic limb
Vastus lateralis
Musculus vastus lateralis
Extends the stifle.
- System
- Muscle
- Region
- Pelvic limb
- Sides
- Paired: left and right
Where it runs from and to
A muscle is told apart from its neighbours by what it takes hold of at each end, which is also what decides what it does when it shortens.
- Origin
- Proximal lateral femoral shaft, just distal to the greater trochanter.
- Insertion
- Patella, and by the patellar ligament the tibial tuberosity.
- Action
- Extends the stifle.
- Nerve
- Femoral nerve.
Written for Vetomica in its own words from the standard reference anatomy of the dog; the books it was checked against are listed below.
What it works on
Largest head, lateral.
Bones it takes hold of
Muscles and ligaments it works with
- Rectus femoris
- Vastus intermedius
- Biceps muscle of the thigh
- Tensor of the fascia lata
- Gluteus superficialis
Terminology
- English
- Vastus lateralis
- Latin (NAV)
- Musculus vastus lateralis
- Status
- A valid term in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria
References
Where to read this structure in full, and where the named parts above were read.
- NAV 2017Myologia: musculi membri pelvini
- Miller's Anatomy of the Dog, 5th ed.The Muscular System: muscles of the pelvic limb
- König & LiebichMuscles of the pelvic limb
- Dyce, Sack & WensingThe hindlimb of the carnivores
Read next
- FemurMeets it
- PatellaMeets it
- Biceps muscle of the thighSame region
- CalcaneusSame region
- Caudal crural abductorSame region
- Central tarsal boneSame region
- Cranial tibial muscleSame region
- FibulaSame region
- Gluteus mediusSame region
- Gluteus superficialisSame region
- Long digital extensorSame region
- Long fibular muscleSame region