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Home › Body Atlas › Muscles › Tensor Fasciae Latae Detail
Muscle Pelvis & Hip

Tensor Fasciae Latae Detail

musculus tensor fasciae latae detail

TFL acts primarily through the ITB, allowing it to act simultaneously at the hip and knee. Its pull on the ITB contributes to lateral knee pain in runners.

An expanded entry for Tensor Fasciae Latae.

Anatomical Data

Origin, Insertion & Supply

OriginAnterior iliac crest and ASIS
InsertionIliotibial band, one-third down the thigh, blending with gluteus maximus fibres
Nerve SupplySuperior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1)
Blood SupplySuperior gluteal artery
Biomechanics

Function & Actions

Actions
  • Flexes and medially rotates the hip
  • Abducts the hip
  • Stabilises the knee in extension via ITB
  • Tenses the ITB during single-leg stance

It flexes, abducts, and medially rotates the hip and tensions the iliotibial tract, helping stabilise the hip and knee during walking.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

TFL tightness is assessed by the Ober test. TFL is the muscle injected in external snapping hip syndrome. In direct anterior hip arthroplasty, TFL is the lateral border of the rectus femoris-TFL interval.

Palpation

Palpated just below and posterior to the ASIS during resisted hip abduction and internal rotation.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

TFL Tightness in Iliotibial Band Syndrome

TFL-ITB contracture producing lateral knee pain at 30 degrees flexion in runners, managed by TFL stretching and progressive running load management.

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