Tensor fasciae latae (TFL) and iliotibial tract

When do you use your TFL?

- running, bicycling, squatting at the hips - raising your leg to climb into a car (flex, medially rotate and abduct the hip) - the windup for a karate kick to the side

What is the iliotibial tract and where is it located?

The iliotibial tract is a superficial sheet of fascia with vertical fibers that run along the lateral thigh. It emerges from the gluteal fascia, is wide and dense over the vastus lateralis muscle and funnels into a strong cable along the side of the knee before inserting at the tibial tubercle. The fibers of tensor fasciae latae and some fibers of gluteus maximus attach to the proximal aspect of the iliotibial tract. The iliotibial tract has a thick, matted texture that makes it a strong stabilizing component of the hip and knee.

What is the TFL and where is it located?

The tensor fasciae latae is a small, superficial muscle located on the lateral side of the upper thigh.