Anterior and Medial Thigh Flashcards
Patellar tendon reflex
Tests function of femoral nerve and spinal cord segments L2-L4. Absence or decrease of this reflex is known as Westphal’s sign
Calcaneal tendon reflex
Tests S1 and S2 nerve roots.
If nerve root is cut or compressed, the ankle reflex is absent
Adductor muscles
Pectineus
Adductor longus
Adductor brevis
Gracilis
Clinical Anatomy: Groin Pull
Groin: Junction between trunk & thigh
Strain, stretching, & probably some tearing of the proximal attachments of thigh adductor/flexor muscles
Thigh compartments, function, innervation
Medial: Adduction, Obturator nerve
Anterior: extension, femoral nerve
Posterior: flexion, sciatic nerve
Hilton’s Law
A joint is innervated by the very same nerves that supply the muscles that move the joint and supply the skin over the joint
Crural fascia
Covers leg muscles
Thickens distally to form extensor retinaculum (L band or halter) –> prevents bowstringing during dorsiflexion
Anterior compartment function
Dorsiflexion, toe extension
Lateral compartment
Contains:
Fibularis brevis
Superficial fibular nerve
Fibularis longus
Clinical Anatomy: Common Fibular Nerve
Causes “foot-drop”. People will drag their toe or they will have “foot-flop”
Most commonly injured lower extremity nerve
Lateral Compartment: Arterial Supply
The 1 compartment w/o a distinct arterial branch accompanying the compartment nerve
Fibular artery=largest branch of posterior tibial artery
Clinical Anatomy: Crural Fascia
Leg compartmental syndromes
- Septa are very tough
- Trauma may lead to hemorrhage, edema & inflammation
- Intracompartmental pressure may lead to ischemia and permanent injury
- Incising fascia (FASCIOTOMY) may be performed to relieve pressure
Shin Splints
- Due to repetitive microtrauma to tibialis anterior
- Inducing small tears to periosteum over tibia and/or tears to overlying deep fascia
- Is a mild form of compartmental syndrome (swelling of tibialis anterior due to repetitive ground reaction force)
Tensor fascia lata is a medial rotator
True
