Dissection 4: Popliteal Fossa and Posterior Leg

Question 1

name the structures located superomedially to popliteal fossa

Answer 1

semitendinosus

semimembranosus

Question 2

name the structure located superolaterally to popliteal fossa

Answer 2

biceps femoris

Question 3

name the structures located inferiorly to popliteal fossa

Answer 3

medial and lateral heads of gastrocnemius

Question 4

what does the small saphenous vein have to pass through to get to the popliteal vein?

Answer 4

deep fascia

Question 5

where is the popliteal fossa’s neurovascular bundle located?

Answer 5

median plane of the fossa

Question 6

name the components of the tibial nerves neurovascular bundle?

Answer 6

tibial nerve
popliteal vein
popliteal artery

Question 7

most common location for the sciatic nerve to divide?

Answer 7

superior apex of the fossa into tibial nerve and

Question 8

what does the common fibular nerve divide into?

Answer 8

deep

superficial

Question 9

what do the sural nerves supply?

Answer 9

skin and fascia on posterolateral aspect of leg and foot

Question 10

which nerves give off a sural cutaneous branch?

Answer 10

common fibular

tibial

Question 11

which nerve’s branch is the medial sural cutaneous nerve

Answer 11

tibial

Question 12

what route does the sural nerve follow to reach the foot

Answer 12

alongside the small saphenous vein in the superficial fascia

Question 13

what muscle is commonly found deep to the lateral head of the gastrocnemius

Answer 13

small plantaris

Question 14

what kind of trauma is the common fibular nerve particularly prone to?

Answer 14

compression injuries eg cast

fractures via fibular neck

Question 15

superficial muscles of the posterior leg

Answer 15

gastrocnemius
soleus
plantaris
popliteus

Question 16

deep muscles of the posterior leg

Answer 16

flexor hallicus longus
flexor digitorum longus
tibialis posterior

Question 17

main function of deep muscles of posterior leg

Answer 17

plantar flexion of ankle

Question 18

nerve supply to posterior leg

Answer 18

tibial nerve

Question 19

name the layers of the posterior leg from anterior to posterior

Answer 19

tibialis posterior
flexor digitorum longus
posterior tibial artery, tibial nerve, flexor hallucis longus

Question 20

name the 2 heads of the gastrocnemius muscle

Answer 20

medial

lateral

Question 21

what do the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle attach to

Answer 21

calcaneus via achilles tendon

Question 22

why is the soleus called such?

Answer 22

looks like a “sole” - the flat fish

Question 23

where does the soleus attach to proximally

Answer 23

neck of fibula

soleal line of tibea

Question 24

where does soleus attach to distally

Answer 24

calcaneus via achilles tendon

Question 25

name the nerve levels of the tibial nerve

Answer 25

s1-s2

Question 26

what does the anterior tibial artery pierce to supply the anterior leg

Answer 26

interosseus membrane

Question 27

behind which structure does the posterior tibial artery leave the posterior compartment of the leg

Answer 27

medial malleolus

Question 28

does the fibular artery branch off from the posterior tibial artery proximally or distally in the compartment

Answer 28

proximally

Question 29

name the 3 structures that the deep muscles of the posterior leg attach proximally to?

Answer 29

tibia
mid shaft of fibula
interosseus membrane

Question 30

what do the tendons of the deep muscles attach to distally

Answer 30

medial tarsal bones (TP)
distal phalanges of lateral four toes (FDL)
distal phalanx of great toe (FHL).