Lower Limb Flashcards
what is the name for thepart of the skeleton that forms the lower limb?
the inferior appendicular skeleton
what is the lower limb attached to the axial skeleton by? (1)
the pelvic girdle
what are the 4 regions of the lower limb?
- gluteal
- thigh
- leg
- foot
what are the two ligaments that extend from the sacrum to the ischium?
- sacro-spinous ligament
- sacro-tuberous ligament
origin and insertion of sacrospinous ligament:
origin - lateral margin of sacrum
insertion - ischium spine
sacro-tuberous ligament origin and insertion
origin - Posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS)
insertion - ischial tuberosity
what do the ligaments extending from sacrum to ischium form? (2)
the greater and lesser sciatic foreamen
what are the parts of the gluteus from superficial to deep: (3)
- Gluteus Maximus
- Gluteus Medius
- Gluteus Minimus
what are the lateral rotators of the thigh? (5)
- Piriformis
- Superior Gemellus
- Inferior Gemellus
- Obturator internus
- Quadratus Femorus
Gluteus Maximus origin (4)
- posterior surface of ileum
- Posterior surface of sacrum
- Sacro tuberous ligament
- Ischial tuberosity
insertion of gluteus maximus (2) and % of fibres going to each insertion
- Iliotibial tract - 75%
- Gluteal tuberosity - 25%
where is the gluteal tuberosity located on the femur?
superior posterior shaft
what does the iliotibial tract help in stabilisation of?
the knee joint
gluteus medius origin (1)
external surface of ileum - between posterior and anterior gluteal line
insertion of gluteus medius (1)
greater trochanter of femur
gluteus minimus origin (1)
external surface of ileum - between posterior and inferior gluteal lines
insertion of gluteus minimus (1)
greater trochanter of femur
function of gluteus maximus (2)
- hip extension
- lateral rotation of femur
gluteus medius and minmus functions (2)
- medial rotation of femur
- abduction of femur
Piriformis origin and insertion (1 & 1)
origin - anterior surface of sacrum
insertion - greater trochanter of femur
what does the piriformis pass through to enable its attachment onto the greater trochanter? (1)
- the greater sciatic foramen
what nerve passes alongisde the piriformis? (1)
sciatic nerve
which muscle lies just inferior to piriformis? (1)
superior gemellus
origin (1) and insertion (1) of superior gemellus
- origin - ischial spine
- insertion - greater trochanter of femur
origin (1) and insertion (1) of inferior gemellus
- origin - ischial tuberosity
- insertion - greater trochanter of femur
quadratus femoris origin (1) and insertion (1)
- origin - ischial tuberosity
- insertion - intertrochanteric crest
where is the intertrochanteric crest found? (1)
runs between the greater and lesser trochanters of the femur
obturator internus origin (1) and insertion (1)
- origin - inside surface of obturator foramen
- insertion - greater trochanter of femur
what does the obturator internus pass out of in order to reach its attachment (1)
the lesser sciatic foramen
obturator externus origin (2) and insertion (1)
- origin - obturator membrane & ischiopubic ramus
- insertion - greater trochanter of femur
function of quadratus femoris as well as laterally rotating femur (1)
steadies femoral head in acetabulum
what is the acetabulum? (4)
- concave
- cup-shaped socket
- in pelvis
- forms hip joint
what junction is the acetabulum located next to?
the junction of the three pelvic bones:
1. ilium
2. ischium
3. pubis
function of obturator externus (1)
- external rotation of hip
what are the 5 muscles groups acting at the hip joint?
- short rotators
- flexors
- adductors
- abductors
- extensors
which of the 5 muscle groups acting at the hip lies the deepest?
- the short rotator muscles
how many short rotator muscles are the?
6
what are the 6 rotator muscles of the hip?
- piriformis
2. obturator externus - obturator internus
- gemellus superior
- gemellus inferior
- quadratus femoris
what are the three hip abductor muscles
- gluteus medius
- gluteus minimus
- tensor fascia lata
what is the fascia lata? (2)
- a continuous sheet of dense fibrous tissue
- surrounds all muscles of the thigh
what is the thickening of the fascia Lata on the outer aspect of the thigh? (1)
iliotibial tract
where does the iliotibial tract extend from and to? (2)
ilium to tibia
what attaches the iliotibial tract to the femur? (1)
strong fibrous septum
for which muscles does the iliotibial tract act as the tendon of insertion? (2)
Gluteus maximus
Tensor fascia Lata
origin and insertion of Tensor Fascia Lata? (2)
- origin - iliac crest
- insertion - iliotibial tract
what is the largest nerve of the lower extremity?
the sciatic nerve
what are the 2 gluteal nerves called?
superior
inferior
what does the sciatic nerve supply? (2)
- posterior thigh muscles
- almost everything below knee
origin of gluteal and sciatic nerves (1)
sacral plexus
how many and what roots form the sacral plexus?
5
L4, L5, S1, S2, S3
what muscle typically overlies the sacral plexus?
piriformis
how do all three nerves (sciatic and 2 gluteals) leave the pelvis? (1)
through the greater sciatic foramen
what muscles does the superior gluteal nerve supply? (3)
- gluteus Medius
- Gluteus Minimus
- Tensor Fascia Lata
what does the inferior gluteal nerve supply (1)
Gluteus maximus
what 2 muscles lie deep to the sciatic nerve as it runs down the thigh?
- quadratus femoris
- adductor magnus
what does the sciatic nerve supply in the thigh? (4)
- Semitendinosus
- Semimembranosus
- Biceps Femoris
- Posterior part of adductor magnus
which hip muscles have their own individual nerve supply? (4)
- Psoas major
- Piriformis
- Obturator internus
- Quadratus Femoris
what are the main Parts of the femur (12)
- head
- neck
- greater trochanter
- lesser trochanter
- intertrochanteric crest
- intertrochanteric line
- Pectineal line
- Linea Aspera
- Medial epicondyle
- Lateral epicondyle
- Medial condyle
- Lateral condyle
what is the Linea Aspera of the Femur (2)
- a prominant ridge
- on the posterior shaft of the femur
what is the pectineal line of the femur (3)
- a bony ridge
- on the anterior side
- at the proximal part
whats the difference between an epicondyle and a condyle? (2)
epicondyle - a** bony projection **located near a condyle that often serves as a site for muscle attachment
condyle - a rounded articular surface at the end of a bone, often part of a joint
compartments of the upper limb vs lower limb: anteriorvs posterior
anterior:
* upper limb - flexors
* lower limb - extensors
Posterior:
* upper limb - extensors
* lower limb - flexors
anterior thigh supply: vein, artery and nerve
vein - femoral
artery - femoral
nerve - femoral
medial thigh supply: vein, artery and nerve name
vein - femoral
artery - femoral
nerve - obturator
posterior thigh supply: vein, artery and nerve name
vein - profunda femoris
artery - profunda femoris
nerve - sciatic
anterior leg (lower leg) supply: vein, artery and nerve name
vein - anterior tibial
artery - anterior tibial
nerve - deep fibular
most superior part of pelvis
iliac crest
lateral leg supply: vein, artery and nerve name
vein - anterior tibial
artery - anterior tibial & fibular
nerve - superficial fibular
posterior leg (lower leg) supply: vein, artery and nerve name
vein - posterior tibial
artery - posterior tibial
nerve - tibial
what are the nerves that supply the foot (6)
- sural nerve
- saphenous nerve
- deep fibular nerve
- superficial fibular nerve
- medial plantar nerve
- lateral plantar nerve
movements of the thigh: anterior, medial and posterior compartment
anterior - extension of leg
posterior - flexion of leg
medial - adduction of thigh
movements of leg (lower): anterior (2), lateral (1) and posterior (2)
anterior:
* dorsiflexion of foot
* extenson of digits
lateral:
* eversion of foot
posterior:
* plantar flexion of foot
* flexion of digits
which artery gives rise to the femoral artery?
external iliac artery
lower limb arterial division names (10)
- external iliac
- femoral artery
- popliteal
- fibular
- posterior tibial
- anterior tibial
- lateral plantar
- medial plantar
- superficial plantar arch
- deep plantar arch
when does the external iliac artery turn into femoral artery?
- at the inguinal ligament
what branch does the femoral artery give off?
profunda femoris
when does the femoral artery become the popliteal artery?
at the adductor hiatus
what 2 branches does the popliteal artery split into?
- posterior tibial
- anterior tibial
what branch does the posterior tibial artery give off?
fibular artery
what are the main veins of the lower limb? (5)
- femoral
- popliteal
- fibular
- anterior tibial
- posterior tibial
superficial veins of the lower limb and where they arise from
- Great Saphenous - arises from femoral vein
- Small Saphenous - arises from popliteal vein
what roots form the lumbar plexus?
- L1-L4
dermatome definition: and example
the cutaneous area supplied by a single spinal nerve root
example: L2
cuteaneous innervation definition and example
the area of skin innervated by a specific cutaneous nerve
example - lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh
what movements are the superficial muscles of the hip joint associated with? (2)
- abduction
- extension
what movements are the deep muscles of the gluteal region associated with? (1)
lateral rotation
why is the relationship between the piriformis and sciatic nerve significant?
anatomic variability of the sciatic nerve - the sciatic nerve may pass above, below or through the piriformis muscle
what is the most common course of the sciatic nerve in relation to the piriformis muscle?
sciatic nerve passes below piriformis
what is piriformis syndrome?
where the sciatic nerve passes through the piriformis muscle
what happens in piriformis syndrome (3)
compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve causes:
* paresthesia along sciatic nerve path
3 for medial
what are the boarders of the gluteal region?
lateral - lateral thigh
superior - iliac crest
medial - sacrum, coccyx, and anus
inferior - inferior boarder of gluteus maximus
what is the iliotibial tract also known as?
the IT band
what is the nerve and artery that passes through the greater sciatic foramen, superior to piriformis?
nerve - superior gluteal nerve
artery - superior gluteal artery
where does the inferior gluteal artery and inferior gluteal nerve pass in relation to piriformis? (2)
- through greater sciatic foramen
- inferior to piriformis
what is the deep fascia of the posterior thigh called?
the fascia lata
what groups of muscles make up the ‘hamstring muscles’?
most lateral to medial for extra point
- Biceps Femoris
- Semitendionsus
- Semimembranosus
Biceps femoris two heads origin:
long head - ischial tuberosity
short head - midshaft of femur
insertion of Biceps femoris (1)
head of fibula
which head of biceps femoris is more lateral?
short head
Origin and insertion of Semitendinosus
origin - ischial tuberosity
insertion - Pes anserinus
what is the Pes anserinus? (3)
- Part of the tibia
- medial superior side
- common insertion point of tendons
what tendons insert onto the Pes anserinus of the tibia? (3)
- semitendinosus
- Gracillis
- Sartorius
how to distinguish between semitendinosus and semimembranosus?
semitendinosus - half of it is tendon
semimembranosus - broader, membranous appearance
Semimembranosus origin and insertion
origin - ischial tuberosity
insertion - posterior medial condyle of tibia
what inserts lower, semimembranosus or semitendinosus?
Semitendinosus
hamstrings muscle function as a whole? (2)
knee flexion
hip extension
what muscle of the hamstrings is not involved in hip extension and why?
- short head of biceps
- does not originate from ischial tuberosity like other hamstring muscles
what determines whether the hamstrings produce knee flexion, hip extension, or both? (1)
what other muscles are acting in opposition to them at the time
what other muscles are involved
how hamstrings produce hip extension: (2)
- quadricep flexion
- hamstring flexion
what other muscles are involved
how hamstrings produce knee flexion (2)
- hip flexor flexion
- hamstring flexion
what is the popliteal fossa? (2)
- a diamond-shaped depression at the back of the knee joint
- serves as a transition between thigh and calf
contents of the popliteal fossa: (8)
- popliteal artery
- popliteal vein
- tibial nerve
- common fibular nerve
- sural nerve
- sural communicating nerve
- popliteal lymph nodes
- small saphenous vein
superior and inferior
boarders of the popliteal fossa (3 & 2)
superior:
* medial - semitendinosus & semimembranosus
* lateral - Biceps Femoris
Inferior:
* medial - medial head of gastrocnemius
* lateral - lateral head of gastrocnemius
what are the superficial structures located on top of the popliteal fossa? (3)
- sural nerve
- sural communicating nerve
- small saphenous vein
where the sural nerve comes from?
tibial branch of the sciatic nerve
where does the sural communicating nerve come from?
the common fibular branch of the sciatic nerve
what does the small saphenous vein drain into?
the popliteal vein
path of sciatic nerve from gluteal region to where it divides: (5)
- passes out of pelvis via greater sciatic foramen
- passes below piriformis
- passes between hamstring muscles
- divides into 2 branches prior to popliteal fossa
- tibial and common fibular/peroneal branches
how to tell which is the tibial branch and common fibular branch of sciatic nerve (2)
- tibial - medial side & thick
path of tibial nerve (3)
- passes through popliteal fossa
- passes between 2 heads of gastrocnemius
- travels to posterior leg
what does the tibial nerve supply in the posterior thigh? (3)
- semitendinosus
- semimembranosus
- long head of biceps femoris
what does the common fibular nerve supply in posterior thigh? (1)
- short head of biceps femoris
what are the posterior muscles of the thigh supplied by? (blood)
- profunda femoris artery
what do the popliteal vein and artery pass though before reaching the popliteal fossa?
- adductor hiatus - opening in adductor hiatus
general term
what are the main branches of the popliteal artery? (1)
- genicular branches
what do the genicular branches supply? as a whole? (2)
- knee joint
- surounding soft tissue
what are the 5 knee flexor muscles?
- Biceps Femoris
- Semitendinosus
- Semimembranosus
- Sartorius
- Gracillis
Sartorius origin (2) and insertion (1)
origin:
* superior head - ASIS
* inferior head - notch between ASIS & AIIS
insertion:
* Pes anserinus
Gracillis origin (2) and insertion (1)
origin:
* pubic symphysis
* pubic crest
insertion:
* Pes anserinus
medial side
what does the obturator nerve supply? (4)
- obturator externus
- adductor brevis
- adductor longus
- anterior part of adductor magnus
what does the femoral nerve supply? (4)
- iliacus
- pectineus
- all 4 heads of quadriceps
- sartorius
muscles surrounding knee from below: (3)
- popliteus muscle
- Plantaris muscle
- Gastrocnemius muscle
popliteus origin and insertion
- origin - superior part of posterior tibia
- insertion - lateral epicondyle of femur
what does the tendon of popliteus pass through in order to reach its insertion point?
- capsule of knee