Anterior and Medial Thigh

Question 1

what is the illiotibial tract

Answer 1

longitudinal thickening of the fascia late strengthened by fibres of the glut max
from the iliac tubercle to the lateral tibial condyle

Question 2

what are the functions of the iliotibial tract (ITT)

Answer 2

movement - extensor, abductor, lateral rotator (stabilisation)
compartmentalisation - splits thigh into anterior medial and posterior compartments

Question 3

what are the borders of the femoral triangle

Answer 3

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

Question 4

what structures pass beneath the inguinal ligament and in the femoral triangle

Answer 4

femoral nerve, artery, vein and lymphatics

Question 5

how do remember from lateral to medial the contents of the femoral triangle

Answer 5

navel

lateral - nerve, artery, vein, empty space, lymphatics - medial

Question 6

what is the femoral canal

Answer 6

most medial part of the femoral triangle and is rectangular in shape

Question 7

what are the borders of the femoral canal

Answer 7

medial - lacunar ligament
lateral - femoral vein
anterior - inguinal ligament t
posterior - pectoral ligament (pectins muscle and superior ramps of pubic bone)

Question 8

what is the femoral ring

Answer 8

opening of the femoral canal at is superior border

Question 9

what is the importance of the empty space in the femoral canal

Answer 9

allows distention of adjacent femoral vein so it can cope with increased venous return

Question 10

why is the femoral canal clinically relevant

Answer 10

common site for herniation of small intestine = femoral hernia through femoral ring - this can compress the hernia forming strangulated hernia which compressed blood supply

Question 11

what is the role of the anterior compartment of the thigh

Answer 11

extend the lower leg at the knee joint

Question 12

what in summary are the muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh and their functions

Answer 12

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

Question 13

why are the psoas major and iliac considered the same muscle

Answer 13

iliopsoas muscle - different origins but common insertion onto the lesser trochanter of the femur

Question 14

what is the quadriceps femoris made up of

Answer 14

vastus medialis, intermedius and lateralis

rectus femoris

Question 15

which muscles make up pes anserinus (goose foot)

Answer 15

muscles attaching to the tibia - sartorius, gracilis and semitendinosus

Question 16

what is the role of the muscles in the medial aspect of the thigh

Answer 16

mainly adduct the thigh at the hip

Question 17

what are the muscle in the medial compartment of the thigh

Answer 17

gracilis 
pectinus 
adductor longus 
adductor brevis 
adductor magnus 
obturator externus (only not main adductor)

Question 18

what are the three major nerves of the thigh and what do they innervate

Answer 18

femoral nerve - anterior compartment
obturator nerve - medial compartment
sciatic nerve - posterior compartment

Question 19

where does the femoral nerve originate

Answer 19

lumbar plexus (L2-L4)

Question 20

when does the femoral nerve divide

Answer 20

when passing under the inguinal ligament into posterior and anterior

Question 21

what are the branches of the femoral nerve

Answer 21

anterior cutaneous branches (skint to front off thigh and knee) 
many motor nerves 
saphenous nerve (skin distally to medial side of foot)

Question 22

what is the origin of the obturator nerve and where does is split

Answer 22

lumbar plexus (L2-L4) 
as it enters thigh it splits into anterior and posterior separated by adductor brevis muscle

Question 23

what is the role of the posterior branch of the obturator nerve

Answer 23

supplies obturator externus, adductor brevis and part of the adductor magnus (lineament aspera)

Question 24

what is the role of the anterior branch of the obturator nerve

Answer 24

adductor longus
gracilis
adductor brevis
(pectins muscle)

Question 25

describe the knee jerk reflex

Answer 25

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

Question 26

what does an absence in the knee jerk reflex signify

Answer 26

lower motor neuron lesions or cerebellar disease

Question 27

what three arteries enter the thigh

Answer 27

femoral (largest), obturator, inferior gluteal

Question 28

describe the origin and route of the femoral artery

Answer 28

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

Question 29

what are the four small branches of the femoral artery in the femoral triangle

Answer 29

superficial epigastric
surpficial circumflex iliac
superficial pudenal artery
deep external pudenal artery

Question 30

what is the largest branch of the femoral artery in the femoral triangle

Answer 30

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

Question 31

what is role, origin and route of the obturator artery

Answer 31

supply medial compartment
branch of the iliac artery and enters medial compartment through obturator canal
splits into posterior and anterior branches

Question 32

what is the largest superficial vein in the thigh

Answer 32

great saphenous vein - from venous arch on dorsal aspect of foot and connects with the femoral vein in the femoral triangle