What action does the tensor fasciae latae muscle perform in the horse?

What action does the tensor fasciae latae muscle perform in the horse?

• A. Flexes the hip and extends the stifle
• B. Extends hip and flexes stifle
• C. Adducts limb
• D. Rotates shoulder

Answer: (A)

The tensor fasciae latae acts by pulling on the hip joint and the fascia lata/iliotibial tract. When it contracts, it helps flex the hip by drawing the femur forward. At the same time, tightening the fascia lata and the iliotibial tract, which crosses the stifle, contributes to extending the stifle during weight-bearing and propulsion. So its functional outcome is hip flexion paired with stifle extension, which is why the correct description is flexes the hip and extends the stifle. It does not rotate the shoulder or adduct the limb, and its primary hind-limb actions relate to the hip and the stifle rather than those other movements.

The tensor fasciae latae acts by pulling on the hip joint and the fascia lata/iliotibial tract. When it contracts, it helps flex the hip by drawing the femur forward. At the same time, tightening the fascia lata and the iliotibial tract, which crosses the stifle, contributes to extending the stifle during weight-bearing and propulsion. So its functional outcome is hip flexion paired with stifle extension, which is why the correct description is flexes the hip and extends the stifle. It does not rotate the shoulder or adduct the limb, and its primary hind-limb actions relate to the hip and the stifle rather than those other movements.