Lower Limb Anatomy Flashcards
What are the three functions of the lower limb?
Locomotion
Support
Balance
What are the 6 regions of the lower limb?
Gluteal Femoral Knee Leg Ankle Foot
What four bones make up the pelvis?
Ilium
Ischium
Pubis
Sacrum
What is the position of the ilium?
Links to the sacrum and extends down to the top of the acetabulum.
What is the position of the ischium?
Forms the posterior inferior part of the pelvis. Links with the pubis to make the obturator foramen.
What is the position of the pubis?
Forms the anterior inferior part of the pelvis. Links with the pubis to make the obturator foramen. Each side is linked by the pubic symphysis.
What is the acetabulum?
The dip into which the head of the femur slots.
Name six points of interest on the ilium.
Iliac fossa Iliac crest Anterior Superior Iliac Spine Posterior Superior Iliac Spine Posterior Inferior Iliac Spine Wing of ilium
Name three points of interest on the pubis.
Pubic crest
Pubic tubercle
Pubic body
What links pubic bones?
Pubic Symphysis
What are the two foramen in the pelvis called?
Pelvic cavity
Obturator foramen
From what levels does the sciatic nerve arise?
L4-S3
What does the sciatic nerve branch into?
Tibial and Common Fibular Nerves
What does the sciatic nerve supply?
Posterior thigh, all leg and foot.
What are the four bones found in the thigh and leg regions?
Femur
Patella
Tibia
Fibula
Name eight major features of the femur.
Head Greater Trochanter Lesser Trochanter Lateral condyle Medial condyle Lateral epicondyle Medial epicondyle Adductor tubercle
Name five major features of the tibia.
Lateral Tibial condyle Medial tibial condyle Intercondylar eminence Tuberosity Medial malleolus
Name one major feature of the fibula.
Lateral malleolus
What is a condyle?
Part of a bone that articulates
What is an epicondyle?
A bone protrusion that is above the condyle.
What two bones make up the hip joint?
Femur and pelvis
What three ligaments encapsule the hip joint?
Iliofemoral ligament
Ischiofemoral ligament
Pubofemoral ligament
What arteries supply the hip joint?
Lateral and medial circumflex femoral arteries
Acetabular branch of the obturator artery
Where do the circumflex femoral arteries arise from?
Deep femoral artery
Where does the deep femoral artery arise from?
Common femoral artery
Where does the common femoral artery arise from?
Extension of external iliac artery when it passes through the inguinal ligament.
Where does the acetabular branch of the obturator artery arise from?
Obturator artery
Where does the obturator artery arise from?
Internal iliac artery
What part of the femur does the acetabular branch supply?
Right into the apex of the head.
What seven movements can the hip make?
Flexion Extension Abduction Adduction Medial rotation Lateral rotation Circumduction
Where do nerves enter and exit the pelvis to/from the thigh?
Greater and lesser sciatic foramen.
What separates the greater and lesser sciatic foramen?
Sacrotuberous ligament.
What are the two layers of muscle found in the gluteal region?
Deep and superficial.
What movements do the superficial muscles of the gluteal region do?
Extension, abduction and medial rotation of thigh.
What four muscles make up the superficial muscles of
the gluteal region?
Gluteus maximus
Gluteus medius
Gluteus minimus
Tensor fascia latae
What nerves supply the superficial muscles of
the gluteal region?
Inferior gluteal nerve (G. Maximus)
Superior gluteal nerve (all others)
Give the main role of each superficial muscles of
the gluteal region.
G. Maximus- Hip extension
G. Medius and G. Minimus- Medial rotation
Tensor Fascia Latae- Abduction
What movements do the deep muscles of the gluteal region do?
Lateral rotation and hip stabilization
What four muscles make up the deep muscles of
the gluteal region?
Obturator internus
Quadratus femoris
Gemelli (superior and inferior)
Piriformis
What nerves supply the deep muscles of
the gluteal region?
Sacral plexus
Give the main role of each deep muscles of
the gluteal region.
All lateral rotation
What happens if you have a damaged superior gluteal nerve?
Trandelenberg gait
What is a Trandelenberg gait?
Weak abduction preventing stabilization gives lurching movement.
Where does the sciatic nerve exit the pelvis?
Greater sciatic foramen inferior to the piriformis
What two nerves make up the sciatic nerve?
Tibial and common fibular nerves
What runs through the femoral triangle?
Femoral nerve Femoral Artery Femoral Vein Deep inguinal lymph nodes NAVY
What is the superior border of the femoral triangle?
Inguinal ligament
What is the medial border of the femoral triangle?
Adductor longus
What is the lateral border of the femoral triangle?
Sartorius
Mnemonic for femoral triangle borders
I add salt
Mnemonic for contents of femoral triangle
NAVY
What is the roof of the femoral triangle?
Deep fascia
What is the floor of the femoral triangle?
Iliopsoas and pectineus muscles
How many compartments does the thigh have?
3
What are the three compartments of the thigh?
Anterior, medial and posterior
What groups of muscles are found in the posterior compartment of the thigh?
Extensors of hip and flexors of knee (hamstrings)
What muscles make up the posterior compartment of the thigh/hamstrings?
Semimembranosus
Biceps femoris
Semitendinosus
What nerve supplies the posterior compartment of the thigh?
Tibial division of sciatic nerve
Why is the semimembranosus called so?
Because it has a flat tendon of origin
Why is the semitendinosus called so?
Because it has a long tendon of insertion
What groups of muscles are found in the anterior compartment of the thigh?
Hip flexors and knee extensors
What are the four hip flexors?
Pectineus
Sartorius
Iliopsoas (psoas major/minor and iliacus)
Rectus femoris
What nerve supplies the anterior compartment of the thigh?
Femoral nerve except for psoas major (L1-3)
What is the tailor’s muscle?
Sartorius
Which is the strongest hip flexor?
Iliopsoas
Which is the strongest hip extensor?
Gluteus maximus
What group of muscles are found in the medial compartment of the thigh?
Hip adducters
What muscles make up the hip adductors?
Adductor longus Adductor brevis Adductor magnus Obturator externus Gracilis
What nerve supplies the hip adductors/medial compartment of the thigh?
Obturator nerve
Name the four hip extensors and give their compartment and nerve.
G. Maximus- Gluteal region. Inferior gluteal N
Semimembranosus- Posterior thigh. Tibial division
Biceps femoris- Posterior thigh. Tibial division
Semitendinosus- Posterior thigh. Tibial division
Name the two hip medial rotators and give their compartment and nerve.
G. Medius- Gluteal. Superior gluteal N
G. Minus- Gluteal. Superior gluteal N
Name the one hip abductor and give its compartment and nerve.
Tensor fascia latae- Gluteal. Superior gluteal N
Name the four hip lateral rotators and give their compartment and nerve.
Obturator internus- Deep gluteal. Sacral plexus.
Quadratus femoris- Deep gluteal. Sacral plexus.
Gemelli- Deep gluteal. Sacral plexus.
Piriformis- Deep gluteal. Sacral plexus.
Name the four hip flexors and give their compartment and nerve.
Pectineus- Anterior thigh. Femoral nerve
Sartorius- Anterior thigh. Femoral nerve.
Iliopsoas- Anterior thigh. Femoral nerve.
Rectus femoris- Anterior thigh. Femoral nerve.
Name the five hip adductors and give their compartment and nerve.
Adductor longus- Medial thigh. Obturator nerve.
Adductor brevis- Medial thigh. Obturator nerve.
Adductor magnus- Medial thigh. Obturator nerve.
Gracilis- Medial thigh. Obturator nerve.
Obturator externus- Medial thigh. Obturator nerve.
Mnemonic for deep muscles of gluteal region.
Oh Quick Get Pie
Mnemonic for anterior compartment of thigh hip flexors
Please Sir I Run
Mnemonic for medial compartment of thigh
AAA GO
What nerve/s supply the superficial gluteal muscles?
Superior and inferior gluteal nerves
What nerve/s supply the deep gluteal muscles?
Sacral plexus
What nerve/s supply the posterior compartment of the thigh?
Tibial division of sciatic nerve
What nerve/s supply the anterior compartment of the thigh?
Femoral nerve and L1-3
What nerve/s supply the medial compartment of the thigh?
Obturator nerve.
What are the five main ligaments involved with the knee joint?
Lateral collateral Medial collateral Anterior cruciate Posterior cruciate Patella ligament
What does the lateral cruciate look like in cross section?
Cylindrical
What does the medial cruciate look like in cross section?
Sheet
What does the anterior cruciate do?
Stops the tibia from moving anteriorly to the femur.
What does the posterior cruciate do?
Stops the tibia from moving posteriorly to the femur.
What are the two joints involved in the knee?
2x tibiofemoral
1x patellofemoral
What are menisci?
Triangular pads on the tibia allowing for articulation. Half moon in shape.
How many condyles are there on the femur?
Two: lateral and medial
What is genu varum?
Increased lateral angle in the knee giving bow legs
What is genu valgum?
Increased medial angle in the knee giving knock knees
What are the two ligaments/tendons that attach to the patella?
Patella ligament inferior
Quadriceps ligament superior
What two movements are possible at the knee joint?
Flexion
Extension
What muscles are responsible for flexion of the knee?
Hamstrings:
Semimembranosus
Biceps femoris
Semitendinosus
Where are the knee flexors found?
Posterior compartment of thigh.
What other movement do knee flexors do?
Hip extension
What muscles are responsible for knee extension?
Quadriceps: Rectus femoris Vastus lateralis Vastus intermedius Vastus medialis
Where are the quadriceps/knee extensors found?
Anterior compartment of the thigh
What nerve supplies the leg extensors?
Femoral nerve
Nerve, function and muscles of thigh anterior compartment.
All femoral nerve unless stated Leg extensors: Rectus femoris Vastus lateralis Vastus intermedius Vastus medialis Hip flexors: Pectineus Sartorius Iliopsoas- L1-3 for psoas major Rectus femoris
Nerve, function and muscles of thigh posterior compartment.
TIbial division of sciatic nerve. Flexors of leg and extensors of hip: Semimembranosus Biceps femoris Semitendinosus
Nerve, function and muscles of thigh medial compartment.
Obturator nerve. Adductors of hip: Adductor longus Adductor brevis Adductor magnus Gracilis Obturator externus
Name the bones of the foot.
Talus Calcaneus Navicular Cuboidal M, I and L Cuneiform Metatarsals Proximal, intermediate and distal phalanges
What bone of the foot articulates with the tibia and fibula
Talus
What bone of the foot forms the heel?
Calcaneus
What bones make up the hindfoot?
Talus and calcaneus
What bones make up the midfoot?
Navicular, cuboidal and cuneiforms
Where is the navicular bone found in the midfoot?
Posterior medial where it articulates with the hindfoot.
Where is the cuboidal bone found in the midfoot?
Posterior lateral and inferior to navicular where it articulates with calcaneus.
Where are the cuneiform bones found in the midfoot?
Anterior medial. Medial to cuboidal and anterior to navicular.
What bones make up the forefoot?
Metatarsals, proximal, intermediate and distal phalanges.
What are the four major joints in the foot?
Talocalcaneonavicular joint
Calcaneocuboid joint
Metatarsophalangeal joints
Interphalangeal joints
How many arches are there in the foot?
Three
Name the three arches of the foot?
Medial longitudinal
Lateral longitudinal
Transverse
What function do the arches of the foot play?
Shock absorption
Push off spring (think kangaroos)
Weight distrabution
What supports the arches of the foot?
Planter aponeurosis
Muscles of the foot
Tendons from the leg
Ligaments of the foot
How many muscles are found in the foot?
20
How are the muscles of the foot distributed and what is their function?
11 sole muscles- flexion of toe
7 interossei muscles- ab/adduction of toe
2 dorsal muscles- extensors of toe
What are the three main arteries of the foot and where do they arise from?
Dorsalis pedis- anterior tibial
Later and medial plantar- posterior tibial
What vessel do all arteries in the leg ultimately arise from?
External iliac artery
Where does the external iliac artery become the common femoral artery?
When it crosses the inguinal ligamnet
From where does the common femoral artery arise?
External iliac artery
What does the common femoral artery branch into?
Deep (profunda) femoral artery
Femoral artery
Where does the deep femoral artery terminate?
Along the thigh
What does the femoral artery become?
Popliteal artery
What does the popliteal artery branch into?
Anterior tibial artery
Posterior tibial artery
Fibular artery
Is the fibular artery anterior or posterior?
Posterior
What major artery of the foot does the anterior tibial artery give rise to?
Dorsalis pedis
What major arteries of the foot does the posterior tibial artery give rise to?
Medial and lateral plantar arteries.
Describe the artery flow through the lower limb.
External iliac, common femoral, popliteal, anterior and posterior tibial + fibular, dorsalis pedis, medial and lateral plantar.
Where does all lymphatics from the lower limb drain?
Deep inguinal lymph nodes.
What are the two major superficial veins found in the leg?
Greater and lesser saphenous
What do the deep veins of the leg drain into?
Popliteal vein -> Femoral vein -> External iliac vein
How many nerves enter the lower limb?
Three
What are the three nerves that enter the lower limb and what levels do they originate from?
Femoral nerve- L2,3,4
Obturator nerve- L2,3,4
Sciatic nerve- L4-S3
What areas does the femoral nerve supply?
Anterior thigh
What areas does the obturator nerve supply?
Medial thigh
What areas does the sciatic nerve supply?
Gluteal, posterior thigh, leg and foot
What does the sciatic nerve branch into?
Tibial nerve
Common fibular nerve
What does the tibial nerve supply?
Posterior leg and plantar of foot
What does the common fibular nerve branch into?
Deep and superficial fibular nerve
What does the deep fibular nerve supply?
Anterior compartment of the leg
What does the superficial fibular nerve supply?
Lateral compartment of the leg
How many compartments are found in the leg?
Three
What are the three compartments of the leg?
Anterior
Posterior
Lateral
How many groups of muscles are there in the posterior compartment of the leg?
Two:
Deep
Superficial
What are the three superficial muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg, what are they innervated by and what is their function?
Plantaris- Tibial nerve. Plantarflexion
Gastrocnemius- Tibial nerve. Plantarflexion
Soleus-Tibial nerve. Plantarflexion
What nerve supplies the posterior compartment of the leg?
Tibial nerve
What is the function of the superficial muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg?
Plantarflexion
Mnemonic for superficial muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg?
Please Get Salt
What are the four deep muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg, what are they innervated by and what is their function?
Popliteus- Tibial N. Flexor of toe and plantarflexion
Flexor Hallucis Longus- Tibial N. Flexor of toe and plantarflexion
Tibial posterior- Tibial N. Flexor of toe and plantarflexion
FLexor Digitorum Longus- Tibial N. Flexor of toe and plantarflexion
What is the function of the deep muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg?
Flexors of toe and plantarflexion
Mnemonic for deep muscles of posterior compartment of leg?
Please Fly To Finland
What is the function of the muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg?
Dorsiflexion and extension of toes
What are the four muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg, what are they innervated by and what is their function?
Tibialis Anterior Fibularis tertius Extensor Hallucis Longus Extensor Digitorum Longus All deep fibular nerve and dorsiflexion and extension of toes.
Mnemonic for muscles of anterior compartment of leg?
To Fly Eat Elephants
How many muscles are found in the lateral compartment of the leg?
2
What are the two muscles in the lateral compartment of the leg, that are they innervated by and what is their function?
Fibularis longus- Superficial fibular nerve and eversion of foot
Fibularis brevis- Superficial fibular nerve and eversion of foot
What nerve supplies the lateral compartment of the leg?
Superficial Fibular Nerve
What is the function of the lateral compartment of the leg?
Eversion of foot
What nerve supplies the anterior compartment of the leg?
Deep fibular nerve
