Lab 10. Superficial Lower Limb Flashcards
General location of the great saphenous vein (GSV)
-from foot to inguinal (anterior to medial malleolus, anteromedial leg, posteromedial leg, posteromedial to knee, anteromedial thigh)
Saphenous nerve
- anterior to the GSV in the leg
- runs parallel to the GSV in the anteromedial aspect of the leg
- terminal branch of the femoral nerve
Sural nerve
- paralleling the distal half of the small saphenous vein (SSV) in the leg
- pierces the crural fascia at about the mid-leg, thus is only found in the distal half of the leg
Superficial fibular nerve
-pierces the crural fascia in the distal anterolateral leg and then branching over the dorsal foot
Dorsal venous arch
- on the dorsal of the foot
- anastomoses with GSV and SSV
Inguinal ligament
-between anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the pubic tubercle
Valves in veins
- both superficial and deep veins have valves
- perforating veins shunt blood from superficial veins to deep veins
Vertical group of superficial inguinal lymph nodes
-situated around the proximal end of the GSV
Horizontal group of superficial inguinal lymph nodes
-arranged parallel to and about 2cm inferior to the inguinal ligament
Saphenous opening
-GSV passes through the saphenous opening in the fascia lata (~4cm inferior to the inguinal ligament) to merge with the femoral vein
Superficial external pudendal vein
-passes medially toward the pubic symphysis and the external genitalia
Superficial epigraphic vein
-passes superomedially toward the umbilicus
Superficial circumflex iliac vein
- passes superolaterally paralleling the inguinal ligament
- may start seeing the horizontal group of nodes with this vein
Perforating vein of the great saphenous
-connects the deep surface of the GSV to the deep vein system by piercing the fascia lata
Fascia of the lower limb
- fascia lata of the thigh
- crural fascia of the leg
- pedal fascia of the foot
Iliotibial tract (band)
-not separate from the fascia lata, it is a thickening of it
Small saphenous vein pierces?
- pierces the deep fascia of the popliteal fossa to merge with the popliteal vein
- follow toward the dorsal foot as it wraps around the lateral malleolus, first posterior to and then inferior
Superficial vein valves
-both superficial and deep veins have valves (deep veins have more) (more valves in distal leg than proximal thigh)
Small saphenous vein
- formed by lateral end of foot’s dorsal v. arch, dorsal vein of little toe
- ascends posterior to the lateral malleolus
- lateral to Achilles, between heads of the Gastrocnemius
- empties to the popliteal vein
What problems arise when valves of veins are compromised?
- spider veins, varicose veins, Deep vein thrombosis (risk of pulmonary embolism)
- backward flow of veins
What can superficial lymph nodes tell you about a patient?
-if they are swollen then the patient may have an infection, injury, or cancer
Where does someone with IT Band syndrome fell pain?
How do you treat IT band syndrome?
- the outward facing side of the knee, at or just above the lateral epicondyle
- ice, rest, stretching, foam rolling, strengthening gluteus max and min
What area of the leg and foot does the sural nerve distribute?
-lateral and posterior 1/3 of leg as well as the lateral aspect of foot and heel
Wiki-sensory signals from the posterior lateral corner of the leg and the lateral and 5th toe towards the spinal cord and brain
Lata (L. latus)
Broad
Sural
(L. sura, calf of the leg)
saphenous meaning
(Gr. obvious)
