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Anatomical study of the morphological continuity between iliotibial tract and the fibularis longus fascia

  • Anatomic Bases of Medical, Radiological and Surgical Techniques
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Abstract

Purpose

Recent research indicates that the skeletal muscles of the human body do not function as independent actuators. Instead, they seem to be linked by connective tissue forming myofascial chains. While the existence of such meridians has been demonstrated for the ventral and the dorsal side of the body, no data are available for morphological fusion of lateral muscles. This study aimed to provide evidence for the inferior part of the lateral myofascial chain.

Methods

Fourteen legs (7 embalmed cadavers, four ♂, 86 ± 7 years) were dissected to reveal a potential myofascial continuity between the fibularis longus muscle, more detailed, its fascia, and the iliotibial tract (ITT). Three investigators judged the general existence as well as the degree and characteristics of the continuity. If an anatomical continuity was evident, strain was applied to both structures in order to evaluate the tissues’ ability for tensile transmission.

Results

An indirect connection between the iliotibial tract and the fascia of the fibularis longus muscle was found: in all examined legs, the ITT fused strongly with the crural fascia. The latter was hardly separable from the fibularis longus fascia. Application of strain to the ITT caused local movement in the crural fascia and the underlying fascia of the fibularis muscle.

Conclusions

The iliotibial tract fuses firmly with the crural fascia and the degree of continuity suggests that moderate amounts of strain might be transmitted. However, biomechanical studies precisely quantifying this tensile transmission are warranted in order to estimate the relevance of the linkage for the locomotor system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Sports Medicine, Institute of Sports Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Ginnheimer Landstraße 39, 60487, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Jan Wilke, Tobias Engeroff, Lutz Vogt & Winfried Banzer

  2. Department of Anatomy (II), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Frank Nürnberger

Authors
  1. Jan Wilke
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  2. Tobias Engeroff
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  3. Frank Nürnberger
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  4. Lutz Vogt
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  5. Winfried Banzer
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Correspondence to Jan Wilke.

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Wilke, J., Engeroff, T., Nürnberger, F. et al. Anatomical study of the morphological continuity between iliotibial tract and the fibularis longus fascia. Surg Radiol Anat 38, 349–352 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1585-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1585-6

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