7. Vastus Lateralis

Origin: Greater trochanter and lateral lip of the linea aspera of the femur

Insertion: Tibial tuberosity via the patella tendon

Action: Extends lower leg

Innervation: Femoral nerve (L2/3/4)

Vastus lateralis muscle.
Figure 3.17 Peroneus tertius, adapted by Uwe Gille from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).
Femoral neurovascular bundle (Femoral artery, nerve and vein).
Figure 3.18 Femoral neurovascular bundle (femoral artery, nerve and vein), by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Supine

Palpation: Palpate the lateral aspect of the anterior thigh

Technique: Needle perpendicular to this muscle using the femur as a lateral backdrop

Caution: Low

Needling of vastus lateralis.
Figure 3.19 Needling of vastus lateralis, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 3.7 Needling of vastus lateralis, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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