Lower Limb 1 and 2 Flashcards
Describe the venous drainage of the lower limb
Superficial and deep veins
What are the superficial veins of the lower limb?
Great and small saphenous vein
How is the great saphenous vein formed?
From the dorsal venous arches of the foot and the dorsal vein of the big toe
What is the course of the great saphenous vein?
Ascends up the medial aspect of the leg, passing anteriorly to the medial malleolus at the ankle and posterior to the medial condyle at the knee
How is the small saphenous vein formed?
Dorsal venous arch of the foot and the dorsal vein of the little toe
What is the course of the small saphenous vein?
It moves up the posterior aspect of the leg, passing posteriorly to the lateral malleolus, along the lateral border of the calcanea tendon and moves between the two heads of the gastrocnemius and empties into the popliteal vein in the popliteal fossa
Describe the deep veins of the leg
They accompany the major arteries in the limbs
What is the significance of venous stasis in the leg
Common cause of thrombosis
What are some causes of venous stasis?
Muscular inactivity or external pressure on veins
Describe the lymphatics of the lower limb
Two categories: deep and superficial
What are the groups of deep lymph nodes in the lower limb?
- Deep inguinal
2. Popliteal
What is the group of superficial lymph nodes in the lower limb?
- Superficial inguinal
Where do lymph vessels following the great and small saphenous veins drain into respectively?
Great saphenous - Superficial inguinal
Small saphenous - Popliteal
How is the acetabulum well adapted to its role?
Lined with a fibrocartilage collar called the labrum that is thicker in weight bearing areas
Outline the ligaments of the hip joint
Iliofemoral ligament and pubofemoral ligament
What is the function of the ligaments of the lower limb
Iliofemoral ligament - prevents hyperextension
Pubofemoral ligament - prevents hyperabduction
How is the arrangement fo the hip ligaments protective the hip while extended?
Spiral formation tightens the joint when the limb is extended
What compartment of the lower limb allows for flexion at the hip?
Anterior (flexor) compartment
Name the flexors of the hip
Iliopsoas (main flexor)
Pectineus
Sartorius
Rectus femoris
Outline the course and innervation of the iliopsoas muscle
Formed by the iliacus and psoas muscles
Originates from the lumbar vertebrae and attach to the lesser trochanter of the femur
Innervated by the anterior rami of L1-L3, iliacus by the femoral nerve
Outline the course and innervation of the pectineus muscle
Originates from the pectineal lines of the pubis and runs inferno-posteriorly to the pectineal line of the femur
Femoral nerve
Outline the course and innervation of the sartorius muscle
Originates from the ASIS to the medial aspects of the superior tibia
Femoral nerve
Outline the course and innervation of the rectus femoris muscle
Originates from the ileum and inserts into the patella by way of the quadriceps tendon
Femoral nerve
List the extensor muscles of the extensor compartment of the lower limb
Gluteus maximus, hamstrings
Outline the course and innervation of the Glut. max muscle
Originates from the gluteal aspect of the ileum, sacrum and coccyx and inserts into the iliotibial tract
Inferior gluteal nerve
What three muscles comprise the hamstrings?
From lateral to medial:
Biceps femoris
Semitendinosus
Semimembranosus
Outline the course and innervation of the hamstring muscle
All originate from the ischial tuberosity (except for short head of the biceps femoris)
BIceps femrois - inserts into the head of the fibula
Semitentinosus - inserts into the medial surface of the tibia
Semimembranosus - inserts into the medial tibial condyle
All innervated by branches of the sciatic nerve
What muscles comprise the medial (adductor) compartment of the lower limb?
Adductor magnus Adductor longus Adductor brevis Obturator externus Graciilis
Outline the course and innervation of the adductor magnus muscle
Originates from the inferior pubic rams and ischial rami and attaches to the line aspera of the femur
Obturator nerve
Outline the course and innervation of the adductor longus muscle
Originates on the pubis and attaches to the line aspera broadly
Obturator nerve
Outline the course and innervation of the adductor brevis muscle
Originates from the body of the inferior ramps of the pubis and inserts into the posterior aspect of the line aspera
Obturator nerve
Outline the course and innervation of the obturator externus muscle
Originating from the membrane of the obturator foramen and passes behind the neck of the femur and attaches to the posterior aspect of the greater trochanter
Obturator nerve
Outline the course and innervation of the gracililis muscle
The most superficial and medial muscle in the compartment; it originates from the pubic bone and runs directly inferiorly to the medial surface of the tibia
Obturator nerve
What is there in the lower limb instead of a designated abductor/lateral compartment?
Deep gluteal muscles function as abductors due to their attachment to the greater trochanter of the femur
What are the deep gluteal muscles which abduct/medially rotate the lower limb?
Glut. med
Glut. mini
Tensor fascia lata
Outline the course and innervation of the Glut. medius muscle
Originates from the gluteal surface of the ileum and inserts to the lateral surface of the greater trochanter of the femur
Superior gluteal nerve
Outline the course and innervation of the Glut. minimus muscle
Originates from the ileum and converges into a tendon which inserts into the anterior part of the greater trochanter of the femur
Superior gluteal nerve
Outline the course and innervation of the tensor fascia lata muscle
Originating from the iliac crest, attaching to the ASIS and finally inserting into the iliotibial tract
Superior gluteal nerve
Why are the lower limb abductors essential for normal gait?
When a limb is lifted, that side of the pelvis becomes unsupported and it is the contralateral abductors that prevent this
What rotator muscles lie inferiorly to the glut. maximus?
Piriformis and obturator internus
Where do piriformis and obturator internus arise from?
From the inner pelvis via the greater and lesser sciatic foramen to attached to the greater trochanter of the femur