Tensor fasciae latae (Musculus tensor fasciae latae)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
A small lateral hip muscle from the iliac crest into the iliotibial band, steadying the extended knee in standing — the only two-joint muscle on the lateral hip.
Origin & insertion
Outer lip of the iliac crest and the anterior superior iliac spine.
Action
Tenses the iliotibial band stabilising the extended knee, medially rotates the thigh and slightly flexes the hip.
Innervation
Superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1).
Clinical notes
Iliotibial band syndrome in road runners puts its pain at the lateral femoral condyle — the classic lateral knee pain; treatment starts with band stretching and training-load correction.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Tensor fasciae latae?
A small lateral hip muscle from the iliac crest into the iliotibial band, steadying the extended knee in standing — the only two-joint muscle on the lateral hip.
Why is the Tensor fasciae latae clinically important?
Iliotibial band syndrome in road runners puts its pain at the lateral femoral condyle — the classic lateral knee pain; treatment starts with band stretching and training-load correction.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details