Anterior and Medial Thigh Flashcards
what is the illiotibial tract
longitudinal thickening of the fascia late strengthened by fibres of the glut max
from the iliac tubercle to the lateral tibial condyle
what are the functions of the iliotibial tract (ITT)
movement - extensor, abductor, lateral rotator (stabilisation)
compartmentalisation - splits thigh into anterior medial and posterior compartments
what are the borders of the femoral triangle
base - inguinal ligament
medial - medial margin of the adductor longus
lateral margin - medial margin of the sartorius
floor - medially by pectinus and adductor longus, laterally by iliopsoas muscle
what structures pass beneath the inguinal ligament and in the femoral triangle
femoral nerve, artery, vein and lymphatics
how do remember from lateral to medial the contents of the femoral triangle
navel
lateral - nerve, artery, vein, empty space, lymphatics - medial
what is the femoral canal
most medial part of the femoral triangle and is rectangular in shape
what are the borders of the femoral canal
medial - lacunar ligament
lateral - femoral vein
anterior - inguinal ligament t
posterior - pectoral ligament (pectins muscle and superior ramps of pubic bone)
what is the femoral ring
opening of the femoral canal at is superior border
what is the importance of the empty space in the femoral canal
allows distention of adjacent femoral vein so it can cope with increased venous return
why is the femoral canal clinically relevant
common site for herniation of small intestine = femoral hernia through femoral ring - this can compress the hernia forming strangulated hernia which compressed blood supply
what is the role of the anterior compartment of the thigh
extend the lower leg at the knee joint
what in summary are the muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh and their functions
pasos major and iliac act on the hip joint, the sartorius and rectus femoris act on knee and hip, vests muscles act on the knee
why are the psoas major and iliac considered the same muscle
iliopsoas muscle - different origins but common insertion onto the lesser trochanter of the femur
what is the quadriceps femoris made up of
vastus medialis, intermedius and lateralis
rectus femoris
which muscles make up pes anserinus (goose foot)
muscles attaching to the tibia - sartorius, gracilis and semitendinosus
what is the role of the muscles in the medial aspect of the thigh
mainly adduct the thigh at the hip
what are the muscle in the medial compartment of the thigh
gracilis pectinus adductor longus adductor brevis adductor magnus obturator externus (only not main adductor)
what are the three major nerves of the thigh and what do they innervate
femoral nerve - anterior compartment
obturator nerve - medial compartment
sciatic nerve - posterior compartment
where does the femoral nerve originate
lumbar plexus (L2-L4)
when does the femoral nerve divide
when passing under the inguinal ligament into posterior and anterior
what are the branches of the femoral nerve
anterior cutaneous branches (skint to front off thigh and knee) many motor nerves saphenous nerve (skin distally to medial side of foot)
what is the origin of the obturator nerve and where does is split
lumbar plexus (L2-L4) as it enters thigh it splits into anterior and posterior separated by adductor brevis muscle
what is the role of the posterior branch of the obturator nerve
supplies obturator externus, adductor brevis and part of the adductor magnus (lineament aspera)
what is the role of the anterior branch of the obturator nerve
adductor longus
gracilis
adductor brevis
(pectins muscle)
describe the knee jerk reflex
stretch reflex testing L2/3/4
also the femoral nerve
strike patellar tendon which stretches muscle spindle in quadriceps muscle which triggers contraction causing kick
proprioception reflex for posture and balance
what does an absence in the knee jerk reflex signify
lower motor neuron lesions or cerebellar disease
what three arteries enter the thigh
femoral (largest), obturator, inferior gluteal
describe the origin and route of the femoral artery
continuation of the external iliac artery, begins at start of the femoral triangle , leaves triangle passing through adductor hiatus and becomes popliteal artery begins the knee
what are the four small branches of the femoral artery in the femoral triangle
superficial epigastric
surpficial circumflex iliac
superficial pudenal artery
deep external pudenal artery
what is the largest branch of the femoral artery in the femoral triangle
profunda femoris (deep artery of the thigh) from lateral side of femoral artery (anastomosis with popliteal) has a lateral and medial circumflex branch and perforating branches for posterior compartment of thigh
what is role, origin and route of the obturator artery
supply medial compartment
branch of the iliac artery and enters medial compartment through obturator canal
splits into posterior and anterior branches
what is the largest superficial vein in the thigh
great saphenous vein - from venous arch on dorsal aspect of foot and connects with the femoral vein in the femoral triangle
