Anatomy Flashcards
The upper limb is divided into which regions?
- axilla
- arm or brachium
- elbow / cubital fossa
- forearm
- wrist
- hand
The lower limb is divided into which regions?
- inguinal region / groin
- thigh
- knee / popliteal fossa
- leg
- ankle
- foot
What are the two types of fascia?
Superficial and deep
Describe the superficial fascia
- subcutaneous tissue
- varies in depth
- loose connective tissue and fat
- includes superficial blood vessels, cutaneous nerves, lymphatics and sweat glands
- there can be variation between people and between different areas of the body eg. gluteal region and the hand region
Describe the deep fascia
- covers most of the body deep to the skin and superficial fascia
- relatively tough and sheet like
- dense connective tissue
- usually white, sometimes glistening appearance
- named according to the location it is found in
- divides limbs into compartments
- present throughout most of the body but not all
Name an example where deep fascia is absent /hard to find or see
In the face
Name the sections of deep fascia in the upper limbs
- pectoral fascia
- deltoid fascia
- brachial fascia
- antebrachial fascia
Name the sections of deep fascia in the lower limbs
- fascia lata (thigh)
- iliotibial tract
- crural fascia (leg)
Describe the features of the iliotibial tract (or iliotibial band)
- lateral area of the thigh
- thickened band of fascia lata
- joins to the tibia inferiorly and the ilium superiorly
Describe the roles of deep fascia
- invests muscles
- forms intermuscular septa
- forms compartments
- aids in venous return
What is investing?
When the deep fascia not only covers the outer aspect of the limb but extends internally to cover deep structures
Describe investing in the lower limb
Deep fascia invests the muscles not only individually but also by way of a thickened sheet known as intramuscular septa. This forms a fascial compartment - muscle in the compartment have similar actions and the same neural supply
What are the benefits of compartments within the fascia?
- can help with the spread of infection or tumours
- can help to prevent overstretching
- forms part of the muscular skeletal pump
- occurs in both the lower and upper limbs
Describe the route of the arterial supply of the upper limbs starting with the subclavian artery
- subclavian artery passes under the clavicle
- then becomes the axillary artery
- then the brachial artery
- then the deep brachial artery
- within the cubital fossa the brachial artery then bifurcates to give two branches; the radial artery and the ulnar artery
- these then branch into deep and superficial palmar arches
- then the metacarpal and digital arteries
How many digital arteries are there per digit?
4
Describe the route of arterial supply of the lower limb starting with the external iliac artery
- external iliac artery
- then deep femoral artery
- then femoral artery
- then popliteal artery
- within the popliteal fossa the popliteal artery bifurcates to give two branches; anterior tibial artery and the posterior tibial artery
- then dorsalis pedis artery
- medial and lateral plantar arteries
- arcuate artery and deep plantar arch
- metatarsal and digital arteries
What is the chief arterial supply to the lower limb?
Femoral artery
What is the arterial supply of the thigh?
- deep femoral artery by way of perforator branches (usually 3 or 4)
Which artery essentially supplies the dorsal arch?
Arcuate artery
Digital arteries are what type of artery?
End arteries
How would you limit blood loss from an artery?
By applying pressure proximal to the site of injury
Where is the carotid artery found?
At the level of the upper border of the thyroid cartilage, posterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle
Where is the femoral artery found?
Inferior the the inguinal ligament
Where is the dorsalis pedis artery found?
Medial to the tendon of the extensor hallicus longus muscle