The deep fascia of the thigh is called fascia lata (Latin lata, broad). Superiorly, the fascia lata attaches to and is continuous with:
• The inguinal ligament, pubic arch, body of pubis, and pubic tubercle anteriorly.
• The membranous layer of subcutaneous tissue (Scarpa fascia) of the inferior abdominal wall also attaches to the fascia lata approximately a finger’s breadth inferior to the inguinal ligament.
• The iliac crest laterally and posteriorly.
• The sacrum, coccyx, sacrotuberous ligament, and ischial tuberosity/ ischiopubic ramus posteriorly and medially.

Inferiorly, the fascia lata attaches to and is continuous with:
• Exposed parts of bones around the knee.
• The deep fascia of the leg inferior to the knee.

The fascia lata is substantial because it encloses the large thigh muscles, especially laterally, where it is thickened and strengthened by additional reinforcing longitudinal fibers to form the iliotibial tract. This broad band of fibers is the shared aponeurosis of the tensor fasciae latae and gluteus maximus muscles. The iliotibial tract extends from the iliac tubercle to the anterolateral tubercle of the tibia (Gerdy tubercle).