Anatomical names and fascial continuity (Part 1)
In this 3 part series of posts, i did like to re-examine how we think of anatomy whenever we bring their names to mind. The posts will feature transcribed words of Todd Garcia as he simultaneously dissected and exchanged insights with Tom Myers.
Here, i have omitted any indication that the iliotibial band continues further down the knee into the peroneals, reaching into the outer edge of the foot. But just saying “iliotibial band” in conversation, obscures this continuity concomitantly.
At any point within the region can the iliotibial band be called its name, however the function of it at the knee differs from its function near the gluteals.
Structure changes as it accommodates joints. So it is one thing to say-the iliotibial band …right? The iliotibial band is fairly well known, it is very easy to become a little too complacent or almost lazy. And just simply identify the structure as if it is the same throughout the body. The iliotibial band is just like any other structure, where ever you are touching it, looking at it, it is specific to that set of structures. And this is a really nice image because you can see how the band is changing its function. How the function of the band is going to change, we are approaching the knee, you can see how it is twisting, it is different, you can see how as we approach out here round the head of the fibula, the quadricep is interacting differently here even though we don’t see the muscle yet, the quadricep is interacting differently here as the iliotibial band starts to interact with the very mobile knee joint, so even though we still say iliotibial band, what we want to really take the time in our conversations and be specific about where we are talking about. - Todd Garcia