[TA] a major branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery accompanying the nerve to the vastus lateralis muscle along the anterior border of that muscle and deep to the rectus femoris muscle, supplying both muscles. Anastomosis: with lateral superior genicular artery, i.e., it contributes to the articular network of the knee. SYN: ramus descendens arteriae circumflexae femoris lateralis [TA].