2.1 Flashcards
Lower extremity surface anatomy
Lower extremity fascia
Connective tissue that contains, protects, and encloses
Regions:
- thigh: fascia lata
- leg: crural fascia
Fascia lata has a superior attachment is the inguinal ligament of the pelvic region, inferiorly it continues as crural fascia. IT band is thick and tough.
Superficial fascia
Deep to the skin
Includes:
- loose connective tissue
- fat
Cushions and contains
- cutaneous nerves
- superficial veins
- lymphatics
(blue)
Deep fascia
Tough
Dense connective tissue
Encircles leg
Branches into investing septa:
- connect deep fascia to bone
- divide leg into compartments
Important to prevent outward expansion of muscles during contractions
- This aids in muscular pump of venous blood
(green)
Illiotibial Tract
Strong, thickened, lateral portion of fascia lata
Attachment point for muscles of lower extremity
Distal attachment: lateral (Gerdy’s) tubercle of tibia
LE osteology
Pelvic girdle osteology
Sacrum osteology
Hip Bone osteology
Triradiate hyaline cartilate connect the three bones together and form a Y shaped epiphyseal plate.
fusion begins at 15-17 years old with complete fusion in early 20s
Hip osteology
Pelvic girdle ligaments
Attach bones:
- vertebral column
- sacrum
- hip bones
Create support and openings:
- muscles
- nerves
- arteries
Ligaments of pelvic girdle
Sciatic foramen
Femur osteology
Femurs are oriented obliquely in thigh to position knees near midline for support of trunk.
It is the longest and heaviest bone.
Tibia
Shin bone
2nd largest bone
Weight-bearing bone of lower leg
Anteromedial
Almost completely vertical
Fibula
Non weight bearing
Used for muscle attachment
Posterolateral to tibia
Shaft connected to tibia via an interosseous membrane
Lateral malleolus extends more inferiorly than the medial
Patella
Sesamoid bone
Articulates with femur
Arteries of lower extremity
Veins of the lower extremity
Small saphenous vein empties into popliteal vein
Great saphenous vein empties into femoral vein
Palpating the femoral artery
Midpoint between the ASIS and pubic tubercle
Uses:
- femoral pulse
- threading catheter for cardiac angiography
Lumbosacral plexus
Spinal nerve roots start dividing immediately
Divisions of different spinal nerves join then travel to target structures
Lumbar plexus
Spinal nerve roots exit the spinal canal at L1-L4
Forms nerves of the pelvis and lower extremity
List nerves of the lumbar plexus
Iliohypogastric (T12-L1)
Ilioinguinal (L1)
Genitofemoral (L1, L2)
Lateral femoral cutaneous (L2, L3)
Femoral (L2-L4)
Obturator (L2-L4)
Lumbosacral trunk (L4,L5)
Lateral femoral cutaneous n.
L2, L3
Exits pelvis under inguinal ligament
Runs along fascia lata surface
Prone to injury from compression
Femoral nerve
L2-L4
Exits pelvis under inguinal ligament
Motor:
- iliopsoas: hip flexion
- quadriceps: knee extension
Sensory:
- sense to the dermatomal distribution of L2-L4
Obturator nerve
L2-L4
Exits pelvis through obturator canal
Motor:
- adductors: hip adduction
Sensory:
- sense to dermatomal distribution of L2-L4
Serves medial aspect of thigh
