Question

There's this fascial band called the band of Richer that wraps around the quadriceps femoris muscle above the knee (in this illustration, look for it near the left knee). It seems to stem from the iliotibial tract. I could only find the term band of Richer/Richer's band from artistic anatomy sources, and it sounds like this particular fascial band is named after Paul Richer. Even though it seems to be noted in some sources meant for artists, surprisingly lots of them completely miss this very visible surface feature. In the photo next to the illustration you can clearly see parts of the vastus medialis above the knee bulges out because something is tying it tightly above.

So what is its proper name, if there's such thing? Is it simply band of Richer? What about its Latin name?

Answer 1

The 'band of Richer' is not a recognized term in medical anatomy and likely refers to a part of the iliotibial tract or retinacula seen by artists. The iliotibial tract, or 'Tractus iliotibialis' in Latin, is a known fascial band connecting the hip to the knee. The vastus medialis muscle does not have a specific fascial band named after it in standard anatomical nomenclature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term 'band of Richer' is not a standard anatomical name found in medical terminology. It is possible that it is a term more commonly used in artistic anatomy to describe a particular fascial band that artists have noticed. The proper anatomical structure that seems to correspond to the 'band of Richer' may be one of the retinacula of the knee or a localized thickening of the iliotibial tract, which is a long band of collagen fibers that connects the hip to the knee. The vastus medialis, being one of the four muscles that comprise the quadriceps femoris group, does have fascial connections and could appear more pronounced due to such fascial structures.

The iliotibial tract, also known as the IT band, is the more recognized name in anatomical studies and medical texts, which acts to stabilize the knee and is under tension from the tensor fasciae latae muscle. If you are looking for the Latin name of the structure that might correspond to the 'band of Richer’, the closest would be 'Tractus iliotibialis'. The vastus medialis muscle, seen bulging above the knee in some images, does not have a specific fascial band uniquely named after it in standard anatomical nomenclature.