Anatomy of the lower limb

Question 1

Bony landmarks

Answer 1

These features have an important function, providing attachments for muscles or pathways for neurovascular structures.

Question 2

Fossa

Answer 2

shallow depression or crater.

Question 3

Foramen

Answer 3

a hole in a bone.

Question 4

Spine

Answer 4

sharp, raised region.

Question 5

Tubercle/ Tuberosity/ Trochanter

Answer 5

essentially three different names for the same thing. A raised bump for the attachment of muscles or ligaments.

Question 6

Joints

Answer 6

Three major joints in the lower limb: hip, knee and ankle.

Question 7

Hip joint movements

Answer 7

Flexion
Extension
Abduction
Adduction

Question 8

Knee joint movements

Answer 8

Flexion
Extension
Internal rotation
External rotation

Question 9

Ankle movements

Answer 9

Plantarflexion
Dorsiflexion
Eversion
Inversion

Question 10

Longus

Answer 10

Long

Question 11

Rectus

Answer 11

Straighten- i.e. muscles which straightens

Question 12

Sartorius

Answer 12

sartorial means relating to tailoring and tailors would often sit with their legs crossed. The sartorius muscle allows you to sit like that.

Question 13

Biceps/ Triceps/ Quadriceps

Answer 13

2, 3 and 4 heads within that muscle group

Question 14

Adductor brevis’, ‘adductor longus’, ‘adductor magnus

Answer 14

they all pass from pelvis to the medial thigh, making them adductors of the hip joint. They all share a function. Brevity means concise so the Adductor Brevis is the short, concise adductor of the hip. Magnus shares a root with magnus and is our largest, most magnificent adductor.

Question 15

Extensor digitorum longus

Answer 15

Extensor is about extending. It extends our digitorum (digit), which we know is our toes. Longus tells us that it’s a long muscle. It also tells us that there is another muscle that isn’t long but has a similar name (‘Extensor Digitorum Brevis’ in the foot). Usually names are as short as possible which is why the longus indicates that there is another muscle that isn’t long of the same name.

Question 16

Compartments of the lower limb- Anterior

Answer 16

Anterior thigh
Medial Thigh
Anterior leg

Question 17

Compartments- posterior

Answer 17

Superior gluteal
Inferior gluteal
Posterior thigh
Superficial posterior leg
Deep posterior leg
Lateral leg

Question 18

Anterior Thigh

Answer 18

Sartorius- flexion/ lateral rotation of the hip, flexion of the knee. Supplied by the femoral nerve

Rectus femoris- Extension of the knee, flexion of the hip. Femoral nerve

Vastus medialis- Extension of the knee, medial deviation of the patella. Femoral nerve

Vastus lateralis- Extension of the knee. Femoral nerve

Vastus intermedius- Extension of the knee. Femoral nerve

Question 19

What are some common points between muscles in the same compartment

Answer 19

1. They mostly share the same function e.g. hip flexion, knee extension
2. They have the same nerve supply e.g. Femoral nerve
3. They have similar points of origin and insertion

Question 20

Medial Thigh

Answer 20

Hip Abduction- Obturator nerve

Question 21

Anterior Leg

Answer 21

Extension of ankle, Extension of toes- Deep peroneal nerve

Question 22

Superior gluteal

Answer 22

Abduction of the hip- Superior gluteal nerve

Question 23

Inferior gluteal

Answer 23

Extension of the hip- Inferior gluteal nerve

Question 24

Posterior thigh

Answer 24

Hip extension, knee flexion- Tibial nerve

Question 25

Posterior superficial leg

Answer 25

Flexion of ankle- Tibial nerve

Question 26

Posterior deep leg

Answer 26

Flexion of toes, Flexion of ankle- Tibial nerve

Question 27

Lateral leg

Answer 27

Eversion of foot- Superficial peroneal nerve