title: The anatomical and functional relation between gluteus maximus and fascia lata.
abstract: There is not full agreement regarding the distal insertions of the gluteus maximus muscle (GM), particularly the insertions into the iliotibial band and lateral intermuscular septum. 6 cadavers, 4 males and 2 females, mean age 69 yr, were dissected to evaluate the insertions of the GM into the iliotibial band, fascia lata, lateral intermuscular septum and femur. The iliotibial band is a reinforcement of the fascia lata and cannot be separated from it. Its inner side is in continuity with the lateral intermuscular septum, which divides the quadriceps from the hamstring. In all subjects the gluteus maximus presented a major insertion into the fascia lata, so large that the iliotibial tract could be considered a tendon of insertion of the gluteus maximus. The fascial insertion of the gluteus maximus muscle could explain the transmission of the forces from the thoracolumbar fascia to the knee.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stecco
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. Electronic address: antonio.stecco@unipd.it.
authors.forename: Stecco
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antonio
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gilliar
authors.forename: Gilliar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wolfgang
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Hill
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fullerton
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stecco
authors.forename: Stecco
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carla
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D005205:Fascia / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
keywords: Fascia lata; Gluteus maximus; Iliotibial band; Myofascial insertion