Anatomy: Areas of the Lower Limb

Question 1

List the popliteal vessels from superficial to deep

Answer 1

Tibial nerve, popliteal vein, popliteal artery

Question 2

Which structures support the medial longitudinal arch of the foot?

Answer 2

Flexor hallucis longus, attachments of tibialis anterior, attachment of fibularis longus

Question 3

What forms the smallest and most medial part of the femoral sheath?

Answer 3

Femoral canal

Question 4

Name the bones which form the medial longitudinal arch of the foot

Answer 4

Calcaeneus, talus, navicular, 3 cuniforms and metatarsals 1-3

Question 5

What makes up the posterior border of the femoral canal?

Answer 5

Pectineal ligament, superior ramus of the pubic bone, and the pectineus muscle

Question 6

What is the plantar fascia?

Answer 6

Deep fascia found on the plantar aspect of the foot, deep to the skin and superficial fascia

Question 7

What makes up the roof of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 7

Popliteal fascia

Question 8

List the contents of the femoral triangle from lateral to medial

Answer 8

Femoral nerve, femoral artery, femoral vein, inguinal canal

Question 9

List the contents of the popliteal fossa

Answer 9

Fat, terminal saphenous vein, popliteal vessels, common fibular nerve, popliteal lymph nodes

Question 10

What makes up the inferior border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 10

Medial and lateral heads of gastrocnemius

Question 11

What makes up the superior border of the femoral triangle?

Answer 11

Inguinal ligament

Question 12

What are the functions of the plantar aponeurosis?

Answer 12

Helps to support the arches of the foot, protects against deep spread of infection from pucture wounds to the sole of the foot

Question 13

What makes up the anterior border of the femoral canal?

Answer 13

Inguinal ligament

Question 14

What is the purpose of the genicular anastomoses?

Answer 14

Provides collateral blood supply to the structures of the knee joint, leg, and foot which is particularly important during periods when the knee is maximally flexed

Question 15

List the contents of the femoral canal

Answer 15

Deep inguinal lymph nodes, adipose tissue

Question 16

What is a Baker’s cyst?

Answer 16

Inflammation and swelling of the semimembranosus bursa that usually arises in conjunction with osteoarthritis of the knee

Question 17

Name the bones which form the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot

Answer 17

Calcaneus, cubiod and metatarsals 4 and 5

Question 18

Where can the femoral pulse be palpated?

Answer 18

2-3 cm inferior to the midpoint of the inguinal ligament

Question 19

Where is the popliteal fossa located?

Answer 19

Posterior to the knee

Question 20

What makes up the superolateral border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 20

Biceps femoris

Question 21

What makes up the medial border of the femoral canal?

Answer 21

Lacunar ligament

Question 22

What is the femoral canal?

Answer 22

Anatomical compartment located in the anterior thigh

Question 23

What makes up the floor of the femoral triangle?

Answer 23

Iliopsoas and pectinous muscles

Question 24

Name the bones which form the transverse arch of the foot

Answer 24

Cubiod, cuneiforms and the bases of all 5 metatarsals

Question 25

What is the plantar aponeurosis?

Answer 25

Central part of the plantar fascia which gives rise to five digital longitudinal bands

Question 26

What makes up the roof of the femoral triangle?

Answer 26

Deep fascia (fascia lata)

Question 27

Which manoeuvres can aid in examination of the popliteal pulse?

Answer 27

Flexion of the knee to approximately 30° and relaxation of the hamstring muscles

Question 28

What is the inguinal ligament?

Answer 28

Inferior border of the external oblique aponeurosis

Question 29

Which arch of the foot is usually weight-bearing on standing?

Answer 29

Lateral longitudinal arch

Question 30

What is the femoral sheath?

Answer 30

Short tube of transversalis and iliopsoas fasia from the abdominal wall which surrounds the most proximal parts of the femoral artery and vein

Question 31

Which structures support the transverse arch of the foot?

Answer 31

Fibularis longus, tibialis posterior

Question 32

What makes up the lateral border of the femoral triangle?

Answer 32

Sartorius muscle

Question 33

What makes up the superomedial border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 33

Semitendinosus/semimembranosis

Question 34

What makes up the medial border of the femoral triangle?

Answer 34

Adductor longus

Question 35

What is the femoral ring?

Answer 35

Opening to the femoral canal located at its superior border

Question 36

What is the retroinguinal space?

Answer 36

Communication with the thigh - allows femoral vessels, femoral nerve, and the iliopsoas muscle/combined tendon to enter or leave the lower limb

Question 37

What is the femoral triangle?

Answer 37

Hollow area in the anterior thigh

Question 38

Name the two attachment points of the inguinal ligament

Answer 38

Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the pubic tubercle

Question 39

What makes up the lateral border of the femoral canal?

Answer 39

Femoral vein