Anatomy

Question 1

What is superficial fascia composed of?

Answer 1

Loose connective tissue & fat

Question 2

What is deep fascia composed of?

Answer 2

Tough, dense connective tissue

Question 3

What is the main function of deep fascia?

Answer 3

Intermuscular fascia creates compartments separating areas of muscle. The tough septa do not stretch easily when the muscles move so during movement the muscles will compress veins instead and aid venus return

Question 4

Describe the arterial supply of the upper limb.

Answer 4

Subclavian > axillary > brachial > ulnar & radial

ulnar > superficial palmer arch > radial

radial > deep palmer arch > ulnar

Question 5

Describe the venous drainage of the upper limb.

Answer 5

Subclavian > cephalic & axillary

axillary > venae comitantes & basilic

cephalic – median cubital vein – basilic

Question 6

What artery doe the venae comitantes of the upper limb follow?

Answer 6

Brachial

Question 7

Describe the arterial supply of the lower limb.

Answer 7

Femoral > profunda femoris

Femoral = popliteal > anterior & posterior tibial

Anterior tibial > dorsalis pedis & acruate artery

Posterior tibial > fibular & medial plantar

Posterior tibial = lateral planter = planter arch

Question 8

Describe the venous drainage of the lower limb.

Answer 8

Femoral = popliteal = small saphenous

Great saphenous

Question 9

Describe how the origins of the saphenous veins differ

Answer 9

Small saphenous - from the dorsal venous arch behind the lateral malleolus

Great saphenous - from the dorsal venous arch in front of the medial malleolus

Question 10

Describe the paths of the great & small saphenous veins respectively

Answer 10

Great - dorsal venous arch > medial aspect of the limb > drains into femoral

Small - dorsal venous arch > posterior midline of the limb > drains into popliteal

Question 11

What are perforating veins?

Answer 11

Veins which connect superficial veins to deep veins

Question 12

How do varicose veins arise?

Answer 12

From incompetent venous valves allowing blood to flow back into superficial veins from deep veins

Question 13

What are end arteries? Give an example of an end artery

Answer 13

End arteries are arteries which are solely responsible for the blood supply to one given area. E.g - digital arteries

Question 14

What happens when an end artery is occluded? How may this be caused by doctors?

Answer 14

Infarction of the area. Giving adrenaline containing local anaesthetic near an end artery may cause infarction

Question 15

List the pulse points of the upper & lower limb

Answer 15

Upper - brachial & radial

Lower - femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial & dorsalis pedia

Question 16

What is ischaemia?

Answer 16

Inadequate oxygenation of tissues due to an interruption of blood supply (can be caused by either arteries or veins in cases of increased venous pressure)

Question 17

Skin ulceration of the lower limb occurs when there is interrupted blood supply in the superficial veins/venules . T/F

Answer 17

True - when the blood supply is interrupted in the deep veins it usually causes DVT

Question 18

Describe the pathogenesis of a leg ulcer.

Answer 18

Increased venous pressure > damaged blood vessels in the skin > dry, itchy & inflamed skin > poor blood supply leads to poor healing > tissues break down

Question 19

What is the most common area of venous leg ulcers?

Answer 19

Gaitor area (medial aspect of the distal leg)

Question 20

Lymphatics in the limbs generally follow the path of the arteries. T/F

Answer 20

False - they usually follow the path of the veins

Question 21

Where do popliteal lymph nodes drain to?

Answer 21

Superficial & deep inguinal nodes

Question 22

Which nodes does lymph drain to when draining from the hand?

Answer 22

Cubital (then axillary)

Question 23

What is the standard method of removing small skin lesions?

Answer 23

Elliptical incision

Question 24

What is the name given to the lines of skin tension? Why are the relevant?

Answer 24

Langer lines. Making perpendicular incisions to these lines decreases wound reopening