CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ARTERIAL SUPPLY OF THE MUSCLE TENSOR FASCIAE LATAE

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 110  (3) , 270-276
Abstract
The [human] tensor fascia lata is a short flat muscle arising from the anterior superior iliac spine and inserting into the fascia lata at mid-thigh. It is supplied by 3 arterial pedicles of unequal importance, branching from the external iliac, gluteal and deep femoral arteries. The dominant blood supply is carried by the lateral circumflex femoral artery which comes from the deep femoral and enters the muscle, approximately 8.8 cm beneath the anterior superior iliac spine. This vessel varies in size at 2-3.5 mm; it is 8 cm long but can be lengthened by ligating the branch for the vastus lateralis. On the deep sheath of the iliotibial tract it gives off 3 branches which supply each third of the fleshy body. The upper branch runs vertically to the iliac insertion of the muscle but not so far as the iliac crest and provides no cutaneous twig. The mild branch runs transversally through the muscle and sends perforating vessels to the skin overlying the fascia lata 6-7 cm below the anterior superior iliac spine. The descending branch runs parallel to the muscular fibers of the muscle and supplies the skin of the lateral lower thigh down to 8 cm above the knee. Thus the pedicle supports an area of skin which is double the length (22 cm) and triple the width (9.5 cm) of the fleshy body. The tensor fascia lata including the 2 layers of the iliotibial tract can be safely used as a myocutaneous flap for covering defects of the trochanteric, ischial and sacral areas.

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