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Dog · Muscle · Pelvic limb

Tensor of the fascia lata

Musculus tensor fasciae latae

Tightens the fascia lata, flexes the hip and helps extend the stifle.

System
Muscle
Region
Pelvic limb
Sides
Paired: left and right
Named parts
2

Where it runs from and to

A muscle is told apart from its neighbours by what it takes hold of at each end, which is also what decides what it does when it shortens.

Origin
Tuber coxae and nearby ventral border of the ilium, blending with the gluteus medius aponeurosis.
Insertion
Fascia lata on the lateral thigh, which carries its pull to the patella.
Action
Tightens the fascia lata, flexes the hip and helps extend the stifle.
Nerve
Cranial gluteal nerve.

Written for Vetomica in its own words from the standard reference anatomy of the dog; the books it was checked against are listed below.

Named parts

The parts of this muscle the books name separately, and what each is called in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria.

Cranial superficial portion
The front, more superficial sheet of the muscle as it leaves the ilium.Miller 2020, p. 600
Deeper caudal portion
The back, deeper sheet lying against the gluteal muscles.Miller 2020, p. 600

What it works on

Craniolateral thigh, between sartorius and gluteus medius.

Bones it takes hold of

  • Ilium

Muscles and ligaments it works with

Terminology

English
Tensor of the fascia lata
Latin (NAV)
Musculus tensor fasciae latae
Status
A valid term in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria

References

Where to read this structure in full, and where the named parts above were read.

  • NAV 2017Myologia: musculi membri pelvini
  • Miller's Anatomy of the Dog, 5th ed.The Muscular System: muscles of the pelvic limb
  • König & LiebichMuscles of the pelvic limb
  • Dyce, Sack & WensingThe hindlimb of the carnivores