Anatomy Dissection Notes: Lower Limb

Question 1

Where does the sciatic nerve supply?

Answer 1

The posterior compartment of the thigh as well as the conpartments of the leg and the intrinsic muscles of the foot through its divisions

Question 2

What does the sciatic nerve divide into?

Answer 2

Tibial nerve and common fibular

Question 3

Where does the sciatic nerve divide into the tibial nerve and the common fibular?

Answer 3

Anywhere between the gluteal region and the popliteal fossa, most commonly the inferior 1/3rd of thigh

Question 4

What are the hamstring muscles?

Answer 4

Semimembranous, semitendinous (medially) and the long and short heads of biceps femoris

Question 5

Where do 3/4 hamstring muscles attach to? What is the exception?

Answer 5

The ischial tuberosity proximally

The biceps femoris attaches to the linea aspera of the femur

Question 6

Where does the biceps femoris attach?

Answer 6

Proximally to the linea aspera of the femur NOT to the ischial tuberosity

Question 7

What supplies the biceps femoris?

Answer 7

The common fibular branch of the sciatic nerve

Question 8

Where does the semimembranous and the semitendenous attach?

Answer 8

To the proximal tibia

Question 9

How can you distinguish between semi-membranous and the semi-tendinous?

Answer 9

• Semitendinous has a longer tendon than the other muscles

- Semimembranous has a shiny membranous appearance

Question 10

What happens to the artery to the head of the femur during adulthood?

Answer 10

It provides very minimal supply of oxygenated blood to the head of the juvenile femur and becomes obliterated during adulthood

Question 11

What are the joints of the foot?

Answer 11

Subtalar, Midtarsal (calcaeocuboid and talocalcaneonavicular), Tarsometatarsal, Metatarsophalangeal, Interphlangeal

Question 12

What is the mid tarsal joints of the foot made up of?

Answer 12

Calcaencuboid and Talocalcaneonavicuclar

Question 13

Where does the subtalar joint attach?

Answer 13

Between the talus and the calcaneus

Question 14

Where does the tarsometatarsal joint attach?

Answer 14

Between the cuneiforms/cuboid proximally and the metatarsals

Question 15

What joint movement can metatarsophalangeal joint perform?

Answer 15

• Synovial joint

- Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction and circumduction of the digits

Question 16

What joint movement can the interphalangeal joints make?

Answer 16

• Synovial hinge joints

- Flexion and extension of the toes

Question 17

What joint movement can the Midtarsal joints perform?

Answer 17

-Inversion and Eversion

Question 18

What causes inversion of the mid tarsal joints?

Answer 18

Tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior working together/ tibial and deep fibular nerves

Question 19

What causes eversion of the mid tarsal joints?

Answer 19

Fibularis muscles/both fibular nerves

Question 20

What are the 3 arches of the foot?

Answer 20

• Medial longitudinal
• Lateral longitudinal
• Transverse arch

Question 21

What bones compose the medial longitudinal arch of the foot?

Answer 21

-Composed of bones of the medial aspect of the foot: calcaneus, talus, navicular, and 3 cuneiforms

Question 22

What bones compose the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot?

Answer 22

-Composed of bones of the lateral part of the foot: calcaneus, cuboid and metatarsals 4&5

Question 23

What bones compose the transverse arch of the foot?

Answer 23

Cuboid, cuneiforms and bases of all 5 metatarsals

Question 24

What are the arches of the foot supported by?

Answer 24

Plantar aponeurosis (thickened central area of plantar fascia of the deep fascia of the sole of the foot) and plantar ligaments

Question 25

What is the medial longitudinal arch of the foot supported by?

Answer 25

Flexor hallucis longus and by the attachments of tibialis anterior and fibulas longus

Question 26

How many intrinsic muscles are there in the foot?

Answer 26

20

Question 27

How many layers are the intrinsic muscles of the foot arranged into?

Answer 27

3

Question 28

What makes up the 4th layer of the sole in terms of intrinsic muscles of the foot?

Answer 28

7 interossei

Question 29

What are the arteries of the foot?

Answer 29

Dorsalis pedis and medial and lateral plantar arteries

Question 30

Where does the dorsalis pedis arise from?

Answer 30

-Branch of the anterior tibial artery

Question 31

Where does the medial and lateral plantar arteries come from?

Answer 31

-Branches of the posterior tibial artery, also contribute to the deep plantar arch

Question 32

Where does the arcuate artery arise from?

Answer 32

Branch from the dorsalis pedis

Question 33

Where do digital arteries and metatarsal arteries arise from?

Answer 33

• Metatarsal arteries arise from the deep plantar arch and the arcuate artery
• Digital arteries branch from the metatarsal arteries

Question 34

Where do the superficial veins of the foot drain from and into?

Answer 34

From the dorsal venous arch and give rise to great (medially) and small (laterally) saphenous veins

Question 35

Where do the deep veins of the foot drain from and into?

Answer 35

Accompany the arteries of the foot and drain into the anterior and posterior tibial and fibular veins (often small groups of veins accompanying the arteries rather than the substantial, single named vessels) that join to form the popliteal vein.

Question 36

What is the motor supply to the foot?

Answer 36

Tibial nerve to the sole of the foot and the deep fibular to the dorsum

Question 37

What is the nerve supply to the dorsum of the foot?

Answer 37

Superficial with deep fibular (first interdigital cleft), sucral nerve (proximal lateral border), saphenous nerve (proximal medial border)

Question 38

What is the nerve supply to the plantar surface to the foot?

Answer 38

Mainly tibial nerves to the heel and the majority of the sole.

• Sucral nerve to the proximal lateral border
• Saphenous vein to the proximal medial border