Anatomy Flashcards
The lower limb extends from where?
The pelvis
Describe functions of the lower limb
- support body weight
- locomotion
- maintain balance
Name the largest and heaviest muscle in the body
Gluteus maximus
Name the muscles of the superficial muscle group of the gluteal region
- gluteus maximus
- gluteus medius
- gluteus minimus
- tensor fascia latae
What is the role of the muscles of the superficial muscle group of the gluteal region?
They are extensors, adductors and medial rotators of the thigh
Gluteus maximus has what role in movement?
Lateral rotation of the thigh
The superficial muscles of the gluteal region are innervated by what?
Gluteal nerves
- gluteus maximus = inferior gluteal
- all others = superior gluteal
Name the muscles of the deep muscle group of the gluteal region
- piriformis
- orbturator internus
- gemelli and quadratus femoris
The deep muscle group of the gluteal region has what role in movement?
Lateral rotators of thigh and hip stabilisers
What innervated the deep muscle group of the gluteal region?
Nerves from the sacral plexus
What is the tensor fascia latae?
Tenses the fascia latae (name given to the deep fascia of the thigh)
Specifically tenses the iliotibial tract
What is trendelburgs gait?
- some type of pathology involved with the superior gluteal nerve
- they stand on on leg then the pelvis on the unsupported side (ie the leg that is lifted) will tilt towards that side as it is not supported
- usually medius and minimus help to keep the pelvis straight
- the limb on the affected side is longer so the swing phase of walking is scraping along the ground
- then they try to compensate by leaning to the opposite side to try and pull the pelvis up
When is gluteus maximus involved in walking?
- not really involved in walking
- only really contracts with extensive force ie walking up a hill or running
Where do the nerves enter / exit the pelvis and perineum?
Via the greater and lesser sciatic foramen
The greater sciatic foramen is a passageway for what structures?
- pelvic structures
- most things go through here
The lesser sciatic foramen is a passageway for what structures?
- perineum
The greater and lesser sciatic foramen are formed by what?
The sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments
The gluteal region is divided into what for injections?
Four quadrants
Name the four quadrants of the gluteal region
- upper outer
- upper inner
- lower outer
- lower inner
What are creates the ‘lines’ of the four quadrants?
- between the superior aspects of the greater trochanter of the femur (horizontal line)
- midpoint of the iliac crest (vertical line)
Where would you inject into the gluteal region?
Into the upper outer region to avoid nerves
Name the three major nerves the enter / exit the pelvis via the gluteal region
- sciatic (L4-S3)
- pudendal (S2-S4)
- posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh (S1-S3)
Describe the sciatic neve
- L4-S3
- largest in body
- supplies posterior thigh, all leg and foot muscles and most of the skin via tibial and common fibular branches
- supplies nothing in the gluteal region
Describe the pudendal nerve
- S2-S4
- principal nerve to the perineum
Describe the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh
- S1-S3
- skin over posterior thigh, popliteal fossa, lateral perineum and upper medial thigh
The sciatic nerve branches where and into what?
- separates in the distal 1/4 of the thigh
- tibial nerve
- common fibular
The sciatic nerve usually exits where?
Inferior to the piriformis
What is usually the most lateral structure of the greater sciatic foramen?
The sciatic nerve
Which artery has its own blood supply as its so large?
- the sciatic nerve
- the artery to the sciatic nerve
What is special about what the sciatic nerve supplies?
- it doesn’t directly supply anything
- it supplies structures via its branches (tibial or fibular)
Describe the position of the common fibular nerve
- more lateral
- smaller division
- lateral aspect of knee joint so can be easily damaged
Describe the position of the tibial nerve
- large division
- lies more medially, almost midline
Describe the boundaries of the femoral triangle
- superior; inguinal ligament
- medially; adductor longus
- laterally; sartorius
- floor; ilipsoas and pectineus
- roof; deep fascia (fascia lata)
Describe the contents of the femoral triangle
- femoral nerve
- femoral artery
- femoral vein
- lymphatics
Where is the femoral triangle found?
Anterior aspect of the thigh
The artery, vein and lymphatics of the femoral triangle run in a what?
A sheath (femoral sheath)
Describe compartment syndrome
- fascia creates enclosed space
- increased pressure caused by swelling of tissue or increase in fluid
- affects functions of the muscles or nerve in the compartment
- can be acute or chronic
- fasciotomy to relieve pressure in emergency
The thigh has how many compartments and what are their names?
- 3
- anterior, medial and posterior compartments
The leg has how many compartments and what are their names?
- 3
- anterior, posterior and lateral compartments
Describe the muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh
- flexors of the thigh; pectineus, iliopsoas and sartorius
- extensors of the leg; quadriceps femoris
What innervates the muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh?
All innervated by the femoral nerve (L2,L3, L4)
Except the psoas major (L1, L2, L3)
Describe the muscles of the medial compartment of the thigh
- adductors of the thigh; adductor longus, adductor brevis, adducor mahnus, gracilis and obturator externus
What innervates the muscles of the medial compartment of the thigh?
All obturator nerve (L2,L3,L4)
Except hamstring part of adductor magnus (tibial nerve)
Describe the muscles of the posterior compartment of the thigh
- extensors of thigh and flexors of the leg; semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps femoris
What innervates the muscles of the posterior compartment of the thigh?
All the tibial division of sciatic nerve (L5,S1,S2)
Except short head biceps femoris (common fibular division of sciatic)
Semitendinosus has a very long what?
Tendon
Semimembranosus has a very large what?
Membrane
Describe the biceps femoris muscle
- more laterally
- two headed femoris muscle
- has a long head and a short head
- long head is classed as a true hamstring
- short head is not a true hamstring
All hamstrings attach to where?
The ischial tuberosity
Describe the features of the short head biceps femoris
- it has slightly different attachment points as it attaches directly to the femur
- cannot extend the thigh as it is not crossing the hip joint
- it does however cross the knee joint so can still flex
- innervated by the common fibular division of sciatic nerve
Describe the muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg
- dorsiflexors of ankle and extensors of toes; tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus and fibularis tertius
What innervates the muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg?
All the deep fibular nerve (L4,L5)
Hallucis means what?
Big toe
What is the action of the extensor hallucis?
Extends big toe
Describe the muscles of the lateral compartment of the leg
- evert foot and weakly plantarflex ankle; fibularis longus, fibularis brevis
What innervates the muscle of the lateral compartment of the leg?
All superficial fibular nerve (L5,S1,S2)
Describe the muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg
- superficial group - plantarflexors of the ankle. gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris
- deep group - flexors of toes and plantarflexors of ankle; popliteus, flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, tibialis posterior