Muscles / Quads
Vastus medialis
- Quads
- Thigh & knee
- Superficial layer
Also called VMO, vastus medialis oblique.
Part of Quadriceps femoris.
Anatomy
- Origin
- Intertrochanteric line and medial lip of the linea aspera
- Insertion
- Base of the patella and medial patellar retinaculum
Actions
- Extends the knee
- Distal oblique fibres (VMO) resist lateral patellar displacement
Exercises that train it most
Also trained by
Notes
- A systematic review found no exercise that selectively activates VMO over vastus lateralis; train the whole quadriceps.
References (5)
- Smith TO, Bowyer D, Dixon J, Stephenson R, Chester R, Donell ST. Physiother Theory Pract. 2009;25(2):69-98. Can vastus medialis oblique be preferentially activated? A systematic review of electromyographic studies
- Standring S, ed. Elsevier. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed.
- Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Wolters Kluwer. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed.
- Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
- Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, et al. OpenStax (free, openly licensed textbook). Anatomy and Physiology 2e