Which action does the tensor fasciae latae perform?

Which action does the tensor fasciae latae perform?

• A. Abduct the hip
• B. Adduct the hip
• C. Flex the knee
• D. Extend the hip

Answer: (A)

The tensor fasciae latae sits on the outer side of the hip, and when it contracts it pulls the thigh away from the midline, producing hip abduction. It also helps flex the hip and rotate it inward, and it tightens the iliotibial band to stabilize the pelvis during movement. Abduction is the best match because this muscle’s primary action at the hip is to move the leg away from the body's midline. Adduction would bring the leg toward the midline and is done by other muscles. Flexing the knee isn’t a function of this hip muscle, since knee actions come from muscles crossing the knee, not the hip. Extending the hip is mainly the job of the gluteus maximus and other hip extensors, not the tensor fasciae latae.

The tensor fasciae latae sits on the outer side of the hip, and when it contracts it pulls the thigh away from the midline, producing hip abduction. It also helps flex the hip and rotate it inward, and it tightens the iliotibial band to stabilize the pelvis during movement. Abduction is the best match because this muscle’s primary action at the hip is to move the leg away from the body's midline. Adduction would bring the leg toward the midline and is done by other muscles. Flexing the knee isn’t a function of this hip muscle, since knee actions come from muscles crossing the knee, not the hip. Extending the hip is mainly the job of the gluteus maximus and other hip extensors, not the tensor fasciae latae.