Anat Cell Biol.  2017 Mar;50(1):7-11. 10.5115/acb.2017.50.1.7.

Morphometric study of tensor of vastus intermedius in South Indian population

• Veeramani
• Gnanasekaran D

• KMID: 2390420
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2017.50.1.7

Abstract

Tensor of vastus intermedius is a newly discovered muscle located between vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius. The purpose of this study was to investigate the detailed morphology of tensor of vastus intermedius, specifically to provide data pertaining to the attachments, innervations, variation in the types and its morphometry in South Indian population. The tensor of vastus intermedius was studied in thirty six cadaveric lower limbs using macrodissection techniques. The origin of the muscle was from upper part of intertrochanteric line and anterior part of greater trochanter of femur inserted to medial aspect of upper border of patella. The muscle was classified into four types based on the origin and also the aponeurosis course with independent type (type 1) being common. The mean and standard deviation of the length of tensor of vastus intermedius and aponeurosis were 145.40±37.55 mm and 193.55±42.32 mm, respectively. The results of the study suggest that tensor of vastus intermedius is variable and the information provided regarding the attachments, types and quantitative data will contribute to the existing knowledge of the muscle.

Keyword

Tensor of vastus intermedius; Vastus lateralis; Quadriceps femoris; Rectus femoris

MeSH Terms

Cadaver
Femur
Lower Extremity
Patella
Quadriceps Muscle*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Anterior view of left thigh. Tensor of vastus intermedius origins from the upper part of intertrochanteric line and anterior part of greater trochanter. It lies between vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius throughout its entire course. The anterior border of tensor of vastus intermedius in the proximal part becomes medial border distally. Distally the lateral border of tensor of vastus intermedius fuses with vastus lateralis. The muscle is supplied by branches from femoral vessels and nerves. N, neck of femur; GT, greater trochanter of femur.

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  Fig. 2 Anterior view of left thigh. Rectus femoris is incised and reflected proximally, so not seen. Tensor of vastus intermedius arises along with vastus intermedius. The posterior border of aponeurosis is fused with vastus intermedius.

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  Fig. 3 Anterior view of right thigh. Rectus femoris is incised and reflected proximally, so not seen. The tensor of vastus intermedius arises along with vastus lateralis. The aponeurosis is separable from vastus intermedius and not from vastus lateralis.

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  Fig. 4 Anterior view of right thigh. Rectus femoris is reflected laterally. The attachment of vastus medialis to patella is incised. The tensor of vastus intermedius aponeurosis inserted into the upper border of patella in the intermediate layer between rectus femoris above and vastus intermedius below.

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  Fig. 5 Anterior view of left thigh. Rectus femoris is incised near its insertion into patella base. The tensor of vastus intermedius aponeurosis runs medially and inserts into the base of patella.

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