Does the iliotibial band make the gluteus maximus a two joint muscle?

The TFL is a short muscle with a long tendon that combines with tendon fibers from the lower fibers of the gluteus maximus to form the IT Band
The Gluteus maximus crosses one jointZ

The IT Band crosses both the hip and the knee, affecting both joints.

No. The ITB is not striated muscle. It is a long fibrous reinforcement of the fascia lata.

“Although the fibrous expansion is received from the gluteus maximus. The external part of the fascia lata receives the greater part of the tendon of insertion of the gluteus maximus and becomes thicker. The portion of the fascia lita arising form the front part of the crest of the ilum which corresponds to the origin of the tensor fasciae femoras passed down the outer side of the thigh as two layers, one superficial to and the other beneath this muscle, these at the lower end become blended together into a thick and strong band, having first received the insertion of the muscle. The band continues downward under the name ITB to be inserted into the external tuberosity of the tibia.”

Taken from Gray’s Anatomy.

Hope this is helpful.

Hey David…

The name kind of gives this answer away. Illio-Tibial Band tells you where the tissue coming from and where it is going. What it amounts to really is dense connective tissue that attaches (via glutes and tfl)from about a third of the way down your thigh that cinnects to the tibia. Being that it runs from the illium on the hip to tibia, it is certainly a two joint muscke.

hope this helps,

Jeremy

As you can tell, the answer is debatable. The IT and, as Joanne mentions, is not skeletal muscle. It’s fibrous tissue. The glut max itself crosses only the hip joint and is solely a prime mover in hip extension.

Take care.