Tensor+Fasciae+Latae

**
 * Author: Nicolas Lorenzotoc

=Description = Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL) is a short muscle which extends into a long thin shape due to the distal tendon of the muscle. The muscle is located on the lateral surface of the lower limb in the gluteal region. TFL originates at the lateral aspect of the iliac crest between the anterior superior iliac spine and the tubercle of the crest and its fibres run in an inferior and slightly oblique laterally in direction from the origin. It then inserts at the iliotibial tract. The supplying nerve is the superior gluteal nerve. The muscle gets its blood supply from the superior gluteal artery as well as the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Actions of this muscle include: walking, hip abduction, stabilizing the knee in extension, tensing the iliotibial tract and keeping the pelvis steady upon the femur head when standing upright.

=Interactions and relations to other Muscles= Tensor fasciae latae antagonizes gluteus maximus and adductor magnus.It is a synergist of the following muscles when performing hip abduction: gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and the sartorius. The TFL is located laterally to the iliacus and psoas major muscles.

=Relevance to Occupational Therapy=

This muscle could be relevant in many situations in occupational therapy. In common cases of walking disorders, the TFL muscle could be damaged/ injured and this could cause a difficulty in walking or maintaining balance due to the TFL's functions (aids with walking and stabilizes the hip bone upon the femoral head). An example of how an OT could intervene would be to firstly perform an activity analysis which will assist the OT in identifying the movements which are required to perform the relvenat chosen activities of the client, the OT could then develop graded muscle strengthening exercises such as performing balancing tasks for a gymnast.

=Links to online interactive material =

=References =

 Sparks Flack et al (2011). A review of the anatomy of the hip abductor muscles, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fascia lata. Clinical Anatomy.  Gottschalk et al (1989). The functional anatomy of tensor fasciae latae and gluteus medius and minimus.Journal of anatomy