Fascia · Thigh

Fascia lata

Fascia lata

The sleeve of deep fascia enclosing the whole thigh — thick enough on the outside to feel like a strap, thin enough on the inner side to be almost translucent. Above it grips the rim of the pelvis all the way round: iliac crest, inguinal ligament, pubis, ischium and sacrotuberous ligament. Below it blends into the fascial stocking of the lower leg, so thigh and calf are wrapped in one continuous sheet. Three partitions run inwards from it to the rough ridge down the back of the femur, dividing the thigh into front, inner and back compartments; its thickened lateral strip is the iliotibial band, and a gap in it below the groin — the saphenous opening — lets the great saphenous vein dive inwards to join the deep vein.