Fascia lata

The outer layer of deep fascia in the lower limb forms a thick "stocking-like" membrane, which covers the
limb and lies beneath the superficial fascia (Fig. 6 . 3 9A). This deep fascia is particularly thick in the thigh
and gluteal region and is termed the fascia lata. The fascia lata is anchored superiorly to bone and soft
tissues along a line of attachment that defines the upper margin of the lower limb. Beginning anteriorly and
circling laterally around the limb, this line of attachment includes the inguinal ligament, iliac crest, sacrum,
coccyx, sacrotuberous ligament, inferior ramus of the pubic bone, body of the pubic bone, and superior
ramus of the pubic bone. Inferiorly, the fascia lata is continuous with the deep fascia of the leg
The superior aspect of the fascia lata in the gluteal region splits anteriorly to enclose the tensor fasciae latae
muscle and posteriorly to enclose the gluteus maximus muscle:

 The tensor fasciae latae muscle is partially enclosed by and inserts into the superior and anterior
aspects of the iliotibial tract.
 Most of the gluteus maximus muscle inserts into the posterior aspect of the iliotibial tract.

The tensor fasciae latae and gluteus maximus muscles, working through their attachments to the iliotibial
tract, hold the leg in extension once other muscles have extended the leg at the knee joint. The iliotibial
tract and its two associated muscles also stabilize the hip joint by preventing lateral displacement of the
proximal end of the femur away from the acetabulum.

L:\‫\رزیدنتی ارتوپدی‬aa split textbooks\pdf - anatomy - Gray’s Anatomy for Students-3ed

2014\gray anatomy studentl 3 ed 2014 - ch 06 - Lower Limb.pdf