Quick Facts
Origin: Anterior superior iliac spine and anterior one third of outer lip of iliac crest.
Insertion: Tubercle of iliotibial tract on the tibia, via iliotibial tract.
Action: Assists in medial rotation, abduction, and flexion of thigh at hip joint.
Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve (L4-S1).
Arterial Supply: Ascending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery and superior gluteal artery.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The tensor fasciae latae muscle originates from the:
- anterior superior iliac spine;
- anterior one third of the outer lip of iliac crest;
- adjacent fascia lata.
Insertion
The fibers of the tensor fasciae latae muscle travel inferiorly and insert onto the iliotibial tract, which inserts onto the tubercle of iliotibial tract on the tibia.
Key Features & Anatomical Relations
The tensor fasciae latae muscle is one of the superficial gluteal muscles. It is a long, thin, fusiform type of skeletal muscle.
It is located:
- superficial to the gluteus medius and minimus muscles, and the deep layer of the iliotibial tract;
- deep to superficial layer of the iliotibial tract;
- lateral to the sartorius and rectus femoris muscles.
Actions & Testing
The tensor fasciae latae muscle is involved in multiple actions:
- assists in medial rotation of the thigh at the hip joint;
- assists in abduction of the thigh at the hip joint;
- assists in flexion of the thigh at the hip joint;
- helps stabilize the extended knee joint.
The tensor fasciae latae muscle can be tested by abducting the thigh at the hip joint against resistance while the hip is flexed and the knee joint is extended, during which it can be palpated (Standring, 2016).
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Tensor Fascia Lata Muscle
The iliotibial band (ITB) is a large fascial expansion that originates on the anterior superior iliac spine, covering the tensor fascia lata muscle proximally and extending along the lateral aspect of the thigh.
