Vastus medialis obliquus

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

The vastus medialis obliquus is the lower part of the vastus medialis muscle, where the fibres are oblique, tending to act as guy ropes pulling the patella towards the medial side. It is commonly referred to as the VMO.

What do the vastus medialis and VMO do?

Contraction of the VMO muscle causes the leg to straighten and the oblique part (VMO) of the muscle tugs the patella towards the medial side.

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