10.2 Anterior Compartment of the Thigh Flashcards
Identify the fascia lata
investing fascia of thigh
Identify the great saphenous vein and nerve as well as the saphenous opening
the saphenous nerve, a terminal branch of the femoral nerve near the knee that courses inferiorly alongside the great saphenous vein.
Great saphenous vein can also be found superficially just anterior to the medial malleolus
Saphenous opening: circular deficiency in the fascia lata inferior to the inguinal ligament. Vein terminates into femoral vein
Identify the cribriform fascia and femoral vein
Fills saphenous opening. Great saphenous vein pierces this and becomes femoral vein
Identify the Quadriceps femoris muscles: Rectus femoris Vastus lateralis Vastus medialis Vastus intermedius
All innervated by femoral n. L2-L4
Identify the quadriceps (patellar) tendon as well as the patella and patellar ligament.
All four muscles of quadriceps femoris attach to the quadriceps (patellar) tendon that passes to the patella.
Locate the tibial tuberosity
The patellar ligament is the continuation of the quadriceps tendon beyond the patella to its attachment on the tibial tuberosity
Identify the muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh:
Describe the main function and innervation of this compartment.
Pectineus Sartorius Psoas Major Iliacus Psoas Minor Resctus femoris Vastus lateralis Vastus Medialis Vastus intermedius
Main functions of anterior compartment muscles: hip flexors and knee extensors
Innervation: Femoral Nerve L2-L4
iii. Pectineus
1. Attachments: proximally, superior ramus of pubis; distally pectineal line of femur inferior to lesser trochanter
2. Actions: adducts and flexes thigh, assists in medial rotation of thigh
iv. Sartorius (sartus = L. patched; thus this is the tailor’s muscle)
1. Attachments: proximally, ASIS and notch below; distally, superomedial tibia
2. Actions: flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates at hip; flexes leg at knee
a. Weakly acts, mostly works with other m’s
b. Brings LL into cross-legged position
v. Psoas Major
1. Attachments: superiorly, T12-L5 vertebral bodies and IV discs and transverse processes of lumber vertebrae; distally, lesser trochanter
2. Actions: with Iliacus, flexes thigh at hip and stabilizes hip; also controls postural movements of trunk
3. Innervation: anterior rami of L1-L3 (Exception)
vi. Iliacus
1. Attachments: iliac crest, iliac fossa, sacrum, sacroiliac ligaments proximally; psoas major tendons, lesser trochanter, and femur
2. Actions: with psoas major, flexes thigh at hip and stabilizes hip
vii. Psoas minor
1. Attachments: superiorly, T12-L1 vertebral bodies and IV disc and inferiorly, pectineal line & iliopectineal fascial arch (Not a contributor to the iliopsoas); variably present
2. Actions: weakly flexes thigh at hip and stabilizes hip
3. Innervation: anterior rami of L1-L2 (Exception)
viii. Rectus femoris
1. Attachments: proximally, AIIS, ilium superior to acetabulum; distally, common tendinous (quadriceps tendon) and patella
2. Actions: extends leg at knee; also steadies hip and helps iliopsoas flex thigh
ix. Vastus lateralis
1. Attachments: proximally, greater trochanter and lateral lip of linea aspera; Distally, common tendinous (quadriceps tendon) and patella
2. Actions: extends leg at knee
x. Vastus medialis
1. Attachments: proximally, intertrochanteric line and medial lip of linea aspera; distally, common tendinous (quadriceps tendon) and patella
2. Actions: extends leg at knee
xi. Vastus intermedius
1. Attachments: Proximally, anterolateral femoral shaft; distally, common tendinous (quadriceps tendon) and patella
2. Actions: extends leg at knee
3. Articularis genu (articular muscle of knee) – derivative of the vastus intermedius
a. Attachments: superiorly, inferior part of anterior femur; inferiorly, synovial membrane of knee and suprapatellar bursa
b. Actions: pulls synovial membrane superiorly during knee extension
Identify the femoral nerve, artery, vein
Identify the contents of the femoral triangle, from lateral to medial (Sartorius, Inguinal ligament, Adductor longs form triangle)
the femoral artery, a continuation of the external iliac artery after it passes deep to the inguinal ligament
Identify the femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve
the femoral nerve, provides motor and sensory innervation to structures of the anterior compartment.
Identify the deep femoral artery
branch off femoral artery
Identify the Medial and lateral femoral circumflex arteries
typically branches off the deep femoral artery
Identify the sub sartorial canal
Underneath sartorious muscle. Contains:
Saphenous nerve, a terminal branch of the femoral nerve, previously identified in the superficial fascia of the leg.
Femoral artery and vein: inferiorly they disappear through the adductor hiatus, a deficiency in the tendon of adductor magnus, to enter the popliteal fossa and become the popliteal artery and vein, respectively.
