title: Variability and reliability of the vastus lateralis muscle anatomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study are to investigate the variability of the morphological and neurovascular anatomy of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle and to describe the relationships among its intramuscular partitions and with the other muscles of the quadriceps femoris. Clinical implications in its reliability as a flap donor are also discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2012, the extra- and intramuscular neurovascular anatomy of the VL was investigated in 10 cadaveric lower limbs. In three specimens, the segmental arterial pedicles were injected with latex of different colors to point out their anastomotic connections. The morphological anatomy was investigated with regard to the mutual relationship of the three muscular partitions and the relation of the VL with the other muscles of the quadriceps femoris.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The VL has a segmental morphological anatomy. However, the fibers of its three partitions interconnect individually and with the other bellies of the quadriceps femoris, particularly, in several variable portions with the vastus intermedius and mainly in the posterior part of the VL. The lateral circumflex femoral artery and its branches have variable origin, but demonstrate constant segmental distribution. Intramuscular dissection and colored latex injections show a rich anastomotic vascular network among the three partitions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Moderate variability exists in both the myological and the neurovascular anatomy of the VL. Despite this variability, the anatomy of the VL always has a constant segmental pattern, which makes the VL a reliable flap donor. Detailed knowledge of the VL anatomy could have useful applications in a broad clinical field.
authors.affiliation: a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Arpa
authors.affiliation: a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Toia
authors.affiliation: b Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy , Innsbruck Medical University , Innsbruck , Austria.
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.affiliation: a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Melloni
authors.affiliation: a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moschella
authors.affiliation: a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cordova
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation*
keywords: Anatomy; quadriceps femoris; vastus lateralis