vastus lateralis (muscle)

vas·tus la·te·ra·lis (mus·cle)

[TA] lateral head of quadriceps muscle of anterior (extensor) compartment of thigh; origin, lateral lip of linea aspera as far as great trochanter; insertion, tibial tuberosity by way of the common tendon of quadriceps femoris and patellar ligament; action, extends leg; nerve supply, femoral. Synonym(s): musculus vastus lateralis [TA], lateral great muscle, lateral vastus (muscle), musculus vastus externus