What is the function of the iliotibial tract?
The iliotibial band (ITB) is a thick band of fascia formed proximally at the hip by the fascia of the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and tensor fasciae latae muscles. Its main functions are pelvic stabilisation and posture control.
What is the iliotibial band connected to?
The ITB is generally viewed as a band of dense fibrous connective tissue that passes over the lateral femoral epicondyle and attaches to Gerdy’s tubercle on the anterolateral aspect of the tibia. ITB friction syndrome is an overuse injury well recognized as a common cause of lateral knee pain.
What is the role of the iliotibial tract during weight bearing?

Iliotibial band It functions to stabilize the joints and help distribute the load when we are weight-bearing in one or both legs, like we would be when standing, walking, or running, for example.
What two muscles use the iliotibial tract to insert into the tibia?
The gluteus maximus muscle and the tensor fasciae latae insert upon the tract.
How do you stretch the iliotibial tract?
To stretch your ITB :

- Stand near a wall or a piece of sturdy exercise equipment for support.
- Cross your left leg over your right leg at the ankle.
- Extend your left arm overhead, reaching toward your right side. You’ll feel a stretch along your left hip.
- Hold for about 30 seconds.
- Switch sides and repeat.
What muscles inserts on the iliotibial tract?
Where is your iliotibial band?
The bones of your knee joint are your thighbone (femur), your shinbone (tibia), and your kneecap (patella). Your iliotibial band is a strong, thick band of tissue that runs down the outside of your thigh. It extends all the way from your hip bones to the top of your shinbone.
IS IT band and TFL the same?
The IT band is made of fascia, or tough connective tissue, that attaches to the pelvis through the tensor fascia lata (or TFL)—a small muscle between the pelvis and femur—and runs down to the outside of the knee.
How is an iliotibial tract formed?
The lateral thickening of fascia lata forms the iliotibial tract and receives tendon insertions superiorly from gluteus maximus and tensor fascia lata. The widened band of fibres descends the lateral thigh and attaches to the lateral tibial condyle on the anterolateral (Gerdy) tubercle.
Where is the iliotibial band found in the body?
The IT band runs along the outside of the thigh, from just above the hip to just below the knee, and is made up of fascia, an elastic connective tissue found throughout the body.
Where does IT band pain hurt?
Iliotibial band syndrome causes pain on the outside of the knee. It might affect one or both of your knees. The pain is an aching, burning feeling that sometimes spreads up the thigh to the hip. You might notice this pain only when you exercise, especially while running.
Is cycling good for IT band syndrome?
Additionally, cross-training or engaging in activities that do not exacerbate symptoms while keeping up your aerobic fitness (such as cycling) can help maintain your conditioning levels.
What does the iliotibial tract do?
The iliotibial tract: imaging, anatomy, injuries, and other pathology The iliotibial tract, also known as Maissiat’s band or the iliotibial band, and its associated muscles function to extend, abduct, and laterally rotate the hip, as well as aid in the stabilization of the knee.
What is the iliotibial band?
The iliotibial band (ITB) or tract is a lateral thickening of the fascia lata in the thigh. Proximally it splits into superficial and deep layers, enclosing tensor fasciae latae and anchoring this muscle to the iliac crest (Standring, 2004).
What is the function of the liver?
The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile. This helps carry away waste products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood and breaks down, balances, and creates the nutrients and also metabolizes drugs into forms
What is the function of collagen in the iliotibial tract?
The collagen fibers are arranged in a regular pattern of straight lines, giving the iliotibial tract incredible strength in the direction in which muscle force is applied to it and considerably less strength in other directions.