Dermatology Anatomy

Question 1

what is the role of fascia in the limbs?

Answer 1

superficial fascia is the subcutaneous tissue (the superficial veins run in this). It blends with the reticular dermis layer.
deep fascia is the layer of dense fibrous connective tissue which surrounds individual muscles, and also divides groups of muscles into fascial compartments. The deep veins run DEEP to the DEEP fascia.

Question 2

Name the deep fascia of the limbs

Answer 2

In upper limb: pectoral fascia, deltoid fascia, brachial fascia, antebrachial fascia
In lower limb: fascia lata (thigh), iliotibial tract, crural fascia (leg)

Question 3

Describe the arterial supply to the upper limb (starting with the aorta)?

Answer 3

aorta - brachiocephalic artery - right subclavian artery - axillary artery - brachial artery - deep brachial - bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries - which then link up to form the deep (mainly from the radial) and superficial (mainly from the ulnar) palmar arches.

Question 4

Describe the arterial supply to the lower limb (starting with the aorta)?

Answer 4

aorta - common iliac artery - internal and external iliac arteries (external iliac passes under inguinal ligament to become femoral artery (deep and superficial) - femoral artery passes behind knee - then becomes popliteal artery - which bifurcates into anterior tibial artery and posterior tibial artery - anterior tibial continues as dorsalis pedis, whilst the posterior tibial artery bifurcates into the medial and lateral plantar arteries.

Question 5

the superficial lymphatics of the upper limb generally follow the superficial/ deep veins/ arteries?

Answer 5

the lymphatics of the upper limb generally follow the superficial veins e.g. follow cephalic and basilic veins.
Basilic: cubital lymph nodes -> lateral pectoral nodes -> apical pectoral nodes
Cephalic: mainly to apical axillary lymph nodes

Question 6

where do the axillary lymph nodes drain?

Answer 6

to subclavian lymphatics

Question 7

the deep lymphatics of the upper limb generally follow the deep/ superficial veins/ arteries?

Answer 7

the deep lymphatics of the upper limb generally follow the deep veins of the upper limb
drain into lateral axillary lymph nodes

Question 8

the superficial lymphatics of the lower limb generally follow the superficial / deep veins?

Answer 8

the superficial lymphatics of the lower limb follow the superficial veins (the saphenous veins):
Great saphenous vein: -> superficial inguinal lymph nodes -> external iliac nodes or deep inguinal nodes
Small saphenous vein: popliteal nodes -> deep inguinal nodes-> external iliac nodes

Question 9

the deep lymphatics of the lower limb generally follow the deep/ superficial veins?

Answer 9

the deep lymphatics of the lower limb follow the deep veins of the lower limb:
drain into popliteal nodes -> deep inguinal nodes -> external iliac nodes

Question 10

the lymphatics of the lower limb drain to the external iliac lymph nodes. Where do the external iliac lymph nodes then drain to?

Answer 10

the common iliac nodes, and then the lumbar lymphatics