Leg

Question 1

popliteal fossa boundaries

Answer 1

superomedially: semitendinosus & semimembranosus
superlaterally: biceps femoris
inferiolaterally: lateral head gastrocnemius
inferomedially: medial head gastrocnemius

Question 2

popliteal fossa contents (superficial to deep)

Answer 2

tibial n.
popliteal vein, lymph nodes, and branches
popliteal artery and branches

Question 3

the small saphenous v. terminates into the ___

Answer 3

popliteal v.

Question 4

deep fascia of the leg is called

Answer 4

crural fascia

Question 5

fabella

• what is it
• what does it do
• problems associated

Answer 5

a sesamoid bone on the femur that sits under the lateral head of the gastrocnemius

• possibly provides leverage for lateral head
• can be fractured during knee replacements, causing pain

Question 6

triceps surae

Answer 6

gastrocnemius + soleus

Question 7

why is the plantaris m. proposed to be a proprioceptive organ

Answer 7

it has an unusually high density of proprioceptive receptor end organs

Question 8

what are the 2 clinical relevances of the plantaris m. tendon

Answer 8

it can be used in reconstructive surgeries of hand tendons

common injury for basketball players, sprinters, ballet dancers caused by sudden dorsiflexion of ankle

Question 9

how does the tibial n. leave the posterior compartment

Answer 9

passing deep to the flexor retinaculum between medial malleolus and calcaneus

Question 10

how does the tibial nerve terminate

Answer 10

into medial and lateral plantar nerves

Question 11

how does the posterior tibial a. terminate

Answer 11

into medial and lateral plantar arteries

Question 12

what is the main arterial and nerve supply for the posterior compartment of the leg

Answer 12

tibial n.

posterior tibial a.

Question 13

what does the fibular a. vascularize

Answer 13

posterior and lateral compartments of the leg

Question 14

where is the posterior tibial pulse palpated

Answer 14

in between posterior surface of medial malleolus and medial border of achilles tendon

Question 15

what must the patient do in order to feel the posterior tibial artery pulse

Answer 15

invert the foot to relax the flexor retinaculum

Question 16

why would you try to feel for the posterior tibial pulse

Answer 16

if the patient has occlusive peripheral arterial disease

Question 17

occlusive peripheral arterial disease

• what is it/what causes it
• symptoms

Answer 17

condition caused by ischemia of the leg muscles due to narrowing or occlusion of the leg arteries
- leg cramps, pain with walking

Question 18

how does the extensor retinaculum form

Answer 18

distal thickening of crural fascia

Question 19

purpose of extensor retinaculum

Answer 19

prevents bowstringing during dorsiflexion

Question 20

primary function of the anterior compartment muscles

Answer 20

dorsiflexion and toe extension

Question 21

how does the deep fibular n. terminate

Answer 21

into medial and lateral terminal branches on the dorsum of the foot

Question 22

what demarcates the approximate point of division of anterior and posterior tibial arteries

Answer 22

tibial tuberosity

Question 23

what supplies nearly the entire dorsal surface of the foot and most of the dorsal aspect of the digits

Answer 23

superficial fibular n.

Question 24

what is the most commonly injured lower extremity nerve

Answer 24

common fibular n.

Question 25

foot drop

• what is it
• common sign
• other sx

Answer 25

damage to the common fibular n. causing loss of dorsiflexion and eversion

• characterized by a “clop” sound of the foot
• loss of sensation along anterolateral leg and dorsum of foot

Question 26

what is the arterial supply for the lateral compartment of the leg

Answer 26

fibular a.

Question 27

compartment syndrome

• what causes it
• what can it lead to
• how can it be fixed

Answer 27

pressure in the legs from fluid build up and the toughness of the crural fascia

• may lead to ischemia and permanent injury
• can be fixed with fasciotomy

Question 28

shin splints

• what is it
• what causes it

Answer 28

• small tears to the perisoteum over the tibia or tears to the overlying deep fascia causing pain
• caused by repetitive microtrauma to tibialis anterior
  (a mild form of compartment syndrome)