Morphometric Characteristics of Arterial Supply of Tensor Fasciae Latae Muscle in Korean

Shin, Chae Soo; Seo, Dae Yong; Yoo, Sung Hwan; Chun, Seung Ha; Han, Seung Ho; Paik, Doo Jin

Abstract

Tensor fasciae latae muscle is a thick muscle with heavy fascial investment and is extensively used for the reconstruction of musculocutaneous tissue loss following major injuries including burn, trauma, and bed sore. Most of known reference values for the measurement of this muscle are from foreign subjects and no measurement in Korean subject were reported. This study demonstrates the characteristics of the arterial supply of the tensor fasciae latae muscle for flap. Total 67 Korean cadavers (41 males and 26 females), clinically normal and without deformity, were dissected. The pattern of distribution of the arteries supplying the muscle was studied, and entering points of each arteries to the muscle were measured as relative coordination from anterior superior iliac spine (A) and center of patella (B). The point of the line AB which meets perpendicular line from entering point of each vessel (P) was definde as C. The length of AP (X) and PC (Y) was measured. 1. Average length of the line AB was 424.7 mm and was longer in male (438.3 mm) than in female (403.1 mm) subjects ( p< 0.01). 2. The XY coordination of origin of the muscle from line AB was-48.8 mm and-21.7 mm and that of insertion of the muscle was 157.9 mm and-20.9 mm. 3. Average length, width, and thickness of the tensor fasciae latae muscle were 167.2 mm, 35.9 mm, 10.5 mm, respectively, and the muscles were longer in male than in female subjects ( p< 0.01). 4. The existence of ascending branch of lateral femoral circumplex artery was 77.5%. The ascending and transverse branches were 16.9%. The ascending and descending branches were 2.8%. The ascending branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery and branch of femoral artery were 1.4%. The ascending branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery and branch of deep femoral artery were 1.4%. 5. Lateral circumflex femoral artery reached the tensor fasciae latae muscle at X: 97.9 mm, Y: 31.3 mm. 6. Point where the muscular branch of lateral circumflex artery to the tensor fasciae latae muscle began, was X: 88.8 m, Y: 17.1 mm. 7. The length and external diameter of pedicle were 30.9 mm, and 2.6 mm respectively. 8. The average number of branches of pedicle to tensor fasciae latae muscle was 7.1. 9. When line AB length was based on 100%, the origin and insertion of the tensor fasciae latae muscle were-11.5% and 37.2% respectively. The branching point from lateral circumflex femoral artery was 23.5%. The last branching point before entering the muscle was 20.9%. The entering point of the branches of pedicles was 16.7%. These data provides the anatomical characteristics of the arterial supply of the tensor fascia latae muscle in Korean in clinical relevance with musculocutaneous flap.