Lower limb 2 - Posterior thigh and popliteal fossa

Question 1

What does the femur consist of?

Answer 1

robust shaft

2 complex expanded articular ends

Question 2

What does the femur articulate with?

Answer 2

acetabulum and distally with the tibia

Question 3

What is the proximal head of the femur like and what does it join to?

Answer 3

has a spherical head

joined to shaft of the femur by the neck

Question 4

In what direction does the daft of the femur pass as it approaches the femur of the opposite thigh?

Answer 4

medially

Question 5

What is the femoral shaft like generally and what is the exception?

Answer 5

generally - cylindrical and smooth

except for - linea aspera

Question 6

What is the linea aspera and what does it form the attachment sites for?

Answer 6

a pair of ridges that run longitudinally along the dorsal surface

attachment site - for several muscles of the thigh

Question 7

NOTE

Answer 7

make sure you know all the bony prominences on femur

Question 8

What is the fascia lata?

Answer 8

a layer of deep fascia which surrounds the muscles of the thigh

Question 9

What does the fascia lata form and what do they attach to and what 3 compartments do they divide the muscles of the thigh into?

Answer 9

1. forms - 3 inter muscular septa
2. 3 inter muscular septa attach to linea aspera
3. 3 compartments:

• anterior extensor
• posterior flexor
• medial adductor

Question 10

What muscles make up the hamstring?

Answer 10

1. semimembranosus
2. semitendinosus
3. biceps femoris - long head

Question 11

What do the 3 muscles of the hamstring share in common?

Answer 11

• the same proximal attachment

- and same innervation

Question 12

What is the proximal attachment and innervation of the 3 muscles of the hamstring?

Answer 12

proximal attachment - ischial tuberosity

innervation - sciatic nerve

Question 13

What are the distal insertions of the hamstrings?

Answer 13

biceps femoris - head of fibula

semitendinosus - media surface of the proximal tibia

semimembranosus - groove and adjacent bone on medial posterior surface of medial head of medial tibial condyle

Question 14

Why is the short head of biceps femoris not considered as one of the hamstring muscles?

Answer 14

it doesn’t share the common proximal attachment and innervation

Question 15

What are the attachments and innervation of the short head of biceps femoris?

Answer 15

attachment - lateral lip of linea aspera

insertion - head of fibula

innervation - sciatic nerve

Question 16

What is the function of the biceps femoris?

Answer 16

laterally rotates thigh at hip joint

flexes leg at knee joint

Question 17

What is the function of semitendinosus?

Answer 17

medially rotates thigh at hip joint

flexes leg at knee joint

Question 18

What is the function of semimembranosus?

Answer 18

extends thigh at hip joint and medially rotates thigh

flexes leg at knee joint

Question 19

Which compartment is the adductor magnus in?

Answer 19

medial compartment

Question 20

What can the adductor magnus be divided into?

Answer 20

1. hamstrings

2. adductor part

Question 21

What is the nerve and proximal attachment of the adductor part of the adductor magnus?

Answer 21

1. obturator nerve

2. ischiopubic ramus

Question 22

What is the nerve and proximal attachment of the hamstring part of the adductor magnus?

Answer 22

sciatic nerve

ischial tuberosity

Question 23

Why is the hamstring part of the adductor magnus considered to be part of the hamstrings?

Answer 23

same origin/ proximal attachment of ischial tuberosity as the other hamstrings

Question 24

What does the sciatic nerve divide into and where do they both enter?

Answer 24

common fibular/peroneal - laterally

tibial nerves - medially

popliteal fossa

Question 25

What is the popliteal fossa?

Answer 25

a diamond shaped depression located on the posterior aspect of the knee.

Question 26

What are the borders of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 26

superomedially - semitendinosus and semimembranosus

superolaterally - biceps femoris

inferomedially - medial head gastrocnemius

inferolaterally - lateral head of gastrocnemius

Question 27

What forms the roof and floor of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 27

roof - popliteal fascia and skin

floor - posterior surface of knee joint capsule and femur

Question 28

What do plantaris and gastrocnemius do?

Answer 28

flexor of knee

plantar flexor of ankle joint