The fascia lata Flashcards
What is the fascia lata?
Deep investment of the musculature of the thigh, strong extensible and elastic stocking. It lines invests and separates structures within the body. There are three main type of fascia.
Where does the fascia lie between?
Begins around the iliac crest and inguinal ligmanet, ends distally to the bony prominene oof the tibia
How does the fascia lata vary across the thigh?
Thickest amongst superolateral aspect of the thigh where it arises from the fascial condensations of gluteus maximus and medius. It is also thick around the knee where the fascia receives reinforcing fibres from tendons. The fascial muscle is thinnest where it covers the adductor muscle of the medial thigh
It opens completely at the ovoid hiatus known as the saphenous opening. This is an entry point for lymph, saphenous veina and the femoral vein
What does the fascia lata give rise to?
Deepest aspect gives rise to three intermuscular septa that attach centrally to the femur. They divide the thigh musculature into three comparments:anterior, medial and lateral.
What is the iliotibial tract?
What are the three main functions of the iliotibial tract?
Also known as IT band it is a longitudinal thickening of the fascia lata strengthened by fibres from the gluteus maximus.Located laterally in the thigh
Movement- acts as an extensor, abductor and lateral rotator of the hip with an additional role in providing lateral stabilisation of the knee joint.
Compartmentalisation- the deep aspect of the ITT extends centrally to form the lateral intermuscular spetum of the thigh and attaches to the femur.
Muscular sheath- forms a sheath around the tensor fascia lata muscle.
What is the tensor fascia lata?
Why is the tensor fascia lata important?
Gluteal muscle that acts as a flexor, abductor and internal rotator of the hip. Also acts to tense the fascia lata. It tightens the IT band and braces the knee.
Tightens IT band and braces the knee, especially when the opposite foot is lifted. Acts like a stocking compressing the muscles and therefore reducing the overall force to move hip joint. Also improves venous return to the heart from the lower limbs.
What are the four areas where the fascia lata attches?
Proximal- various attachments from pelvic gurdle
Lateral- IT tract
Inferior- knee joint
Central- intramuscular septa
What are the attachments of the proximal tensor fascia lata?
Posterior- tensor fascia lata
Lateral- iliac crest
Anterior- inguinal ligament, superior pubic rami
Medial- inferior ischiopubic rami, ischial tuberosity, sacrotuberous ligament
Describe the course of the proximal fascia lata
Continuous with other fascia. Deep iliac fasica descends from the thoracic regiona t the diaphragm, covers the entire iliac and psoas region. Both blend with fascia lata just below the inguinal ligament.
Describe the course of the lateral fascia lata
Forms iliotibial tract and receives insertions from the gluteus maximus and tensor fascia lata superiorly. These descend down the thigh and attach to the lateral tibial condyle.
Describe the course of the inferior fascia lata?
Ends at the knee joint where it becomes the deep fascia of the leg. Attachments are made at bony promininces around the knee including the femoral and tibial condyles, patella, head of the fibula and the tibial tuberosity.
Describe the course of the central fascia lata?
Produces three intermuscuakr septa that attaches centrally to the femur. Lateral septum joins to the lateral lip of the linea aspera and the medial and anterior septa attach to the medial lip. These continue along the whole length of the femur to include the supracondylar lines.
Why is the fascia lata important in surgery?
Removement of other fascia require post operative grafts to facilitate tissue regrowth and healing. Fascia lata is a popular choice as the iliotibial tract has a high concentration of connective tissue fibres and so it can be harvested whilst leaving the majority of other fibres intact
It is also used for transplantation as it is well vascularised. It has been used for heart valve replacements, eyelid reparations, dura mater repair and urinary incontinence treatment.
