Bilateral tensor vastus intermedius muscle identified during cadaveric dissection; an anatomical case report

Background The quadriceps femoris muscle group demonstrates considerable anatomical variation, among which the tensor vastus intermedius (TVI) has been increasingly recognized as a distinct muscular component. Methods and results The present case report describes bilateral, well-defined TVI identified during routine cadaveric dissection. The muscle was located between the vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius on both sides, displaying a distinct muscle belly and a separate fascial plane. The morphology and location were symmetrical on both sides, with no obvious differences in fibre orientation. Conclusion A well-defined Vastus lateralis type (VL type) TVI muscle was identified during cadaveric dissection. Its recognition has important implications for surgical approaches to the anterior thigh, interpretation of imaging studies, and understanding of quadriceps biomechanics. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a bilateral tensor vastus intermedius from Sri Lanka.