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Tensor Fasciae Latae

Tensor Fasciae Latae

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update: Oct 25th, 2022

The tensor fasciae latae muscle is a muscle in the lateral hip and thigh that helps control hip flexion and abduction.

Tensor Fasciae Latae

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Psoas Major, Iliacus, Tensor Fasciae Latae (highlighted in green), Pectineus, Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Sartorius, Adductor Longus and Gracilis.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Psoas Major, Iliacus, Tensor Fasciae Latae (highlighted in green), Pectineus, Adductor Longus, Vastus Intermedius, Gracilis.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Psoas Major, Iliacus, Tensor Fasciae Latae (highlighted in green), Adductor Longus, Gracilis.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The only visible labelled muscle is Tensor Fasciae Latae.

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Attachments of the Tensor Fasciae Latae Muscle

Origin (proximal attachment)
a. Anterior iliac crest.

Insertion (distal attachment)
a. Lateral condyle of tibia via iliotibial tract.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Psoas Major, Iliacus, Tensor Fasciae Latae (highlighted in green), Pectineus, Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Sartorius, Adductor Longus and Gracilis.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Psoas Major, Iliacus, Tensor Fasciae Latae (highlighted in green), Pectineus, Adductor Longus, Vastus Intermedius, Gracilis.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column showing the attachments of the Tensor Fasciae Latae muscle. The origin attachment area at the anterior iliac crest is highlighted in red. The insertion at the lateral condyle of tibia via iliotibial tract is marked by a blue circle.

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Actions of the Tensor Fasciae Latae Muscle:

a. Abducts the thigh at the hip.

Learn the functions, attachments and innovations of the TFL faster and more efficiently with this lower limb muscle anatomy reference chart.

Slide 2 of the animation showing the abduction of the thigh,

Slide 3 of the animation showing the abduction of the thigh,

Slide 4 of the animation showing the abduction of the thigh,

Slide 5 of the animation showing the abduction of the thigh,

a. Flexes the thigh at the hip.

Slide 1 of the animation showing flexion of the thigh.

Slide 2 of the animation showing flexion of the thigh.

Slide 3 of the animation showing flexion of the thigh.

Slide 4 of the animation showing flexion of the thigh.

Slide 5 of the animation showing flexion of the thigh.

Nerve to the Tensor Fasciae Latae muscle and its spinal segment:

a. Superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1).

An Overview of the Anterior Muscles of the Thigh

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9 and the answers are concealed.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 8. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae 4. Pectineus 5. Adductor Longus 6. Rectus Femoris 7. Vastus Lateralis 8. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 8. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae 4. Pectineus 5. Adductor Longus 6. Vastus Lateralis 7. Vastus Medialis 8. Gracilis.

column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 8. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae 4. Pectineus 5. Adductor Longus 6. Vastus Intermedius 7. Vastus Medialis 8. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 7. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae 4. Pectineus 5. Adductor Longus 6. Vastus Intermedius 7. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 6. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae 4. Pectineus 5. Adductor Longus 6. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 5. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae 4. Adductor Longus 5. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 6. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae 4. Adductor Brevis 5. Adductor Magnus 6. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 5. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae 4. Adductor Brevis 5. Adductor Magnus.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 4. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae 4. Adductor Magnus.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 3. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 2. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Iliacus 2. Tensor Fasciae Latae.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The only muscle labelled 1 is Tensor Fasciae Latae.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column showing the attachments of the Tensor Fasciae Latae muscle. The origin attachment area at the anterior iliac crest is highlighted in red. The insertion at the lateral condyle of tibia via iliotibial tract is marked by a blue circle.

Test yourself while observing the Tensor Fasciae Latae Muscle.

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