The FAB glossary

tensor fasciae latae

Tensor fasciae latae is a short muscle which arises from the iliac crest and passes downwards to be inserted into the iliotibial tract (in fact the upper part of the tract splits to enclose it).

• Flex and medially rotate the hip joint
• Extend the knee and brace the whole lower limb via the iliotibial tract (which gluteus maximus also inserts into). The tract is seen as their long "tendon".
• Most recently it has been considered as another abductor of the hip joint. The fact that its nerve supply (the superior gluteal nerve) is shared with the other abductors gluteus medius and gluteus minimus may be significant.

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