Fascia Lata Flashcards
What is fascia
A sheet or band of fibrous tissue lying deep to skin that lines, invests and separates structures within the body
What is superficial fascia
Blends with reicular layer beneath the dermis
What is deep fascia
Envelopes muscles, bones and neurovascular structures
What is visceral fascia
Provides membranous investments that suspend organs within their cavities
Where does the fascia lata begin
Around the iliac crest and inguinal ligament
Where does the fascia lata end
Distal to the bony prominences of the tibia where is becomes the deep fascia of the leg (crural fascia)
Where is the fascia lata thickest
Along superolateral aspect of thigh
Where is the fascia lata thinnest
Wehere it covers adductor muscles of medial thigh
What divides thigh musculature into three compartments
Intermuscular septa from fascia lata attaching to femur
Which is the strongest intermuscular septa
Lateral intermuscular septa due to reinforcement from iliotibial tract
Where is the saphenous opening
In the fascia lata just inferior to inguinal ligament
What is the saphenous opening for
Serves as an entry point for efferent lymphatic vessels and great saphenous vein
What covers saphenous opening
Cribriform fascia
Where does the cribriform fascia develop from
Falciform margin
What is the iliotibial tract
Longitudinal thickening of fascia lata. Strengthened posteriorly by fibres from gluteus maximus
Where is the iliotibial tract
Lateral in the thigh
Extends from iliac tubercle to lateral tibial condyle
What are the main functions of the illiotibial tract
Movement
Compartmentalisation
Muscular sheath
What are the movement functions of the iliotibial tract
Acts as extensor, abductor and lateral rotator of hip
Provides lateral stabilisation to knee joint
How does the iliotibial tract aid in compartmentalisation within the thigh
Deepest aspect extends centrally to form lateral intermuscular septum and attaches to femur
What muscle does the iliotibial tract as a sheath for
Tensor fascia lata muscle
What is the action of the tensor fascia lata
Flexor, abductor and internal rotator of the hip
Tenses fascia lata
Where does tensor fascia lata originate
Iliac crest
Where does tensor fascia lata insert
Anterior aspect of iliotibial tract at the junction of the upper and middle thirds of the thigh
What is the purpose of tightening the fascia lata
Forces muscle groups closer together which centralises muscle weight and limits outward expansion which reduces overall force required for movement at hip joint
Makes muscle contraction more efficient in compressing deep veins
What proximal attachments does the fascia lata have
Sacrum and coccyx Iliac crest Inguinal ligament Superior pubic rami Inferior ischiopubic rami Ischial tuberosity Sacrotuberous ligament
Where does the deep iliac fascia blend with fascia lata
After covering iliacus and psoas
Where does superficial fascia blend with fascia lata
Just below inguinal ligament
Where iliotibial tract attach distally
Lateral tibial condyle
