lower limb nerves

Question 1

which nerve supplies muscles in the anterior thigh compartment?

Answer 1

femoral nerve

except psoas major - anterior rami of L1-L3

Question 2

which nerve supplies muscles in the posterior thigh compartment?

Answer 2

all tibial nerve

except short head of biceps femoris - common fibular nerve

Question 3

which nerve supplies muscles in the medial thigh compartment?

Answer 3

obturator nerve

except hamstring part of adductor magnus - tibial nerve

Question 4

which nerve supplies the muscles in the gluteal region?

Answer 4

superior and inferior gluteal muscle

Question 5

nerve supply to the muscles in the anterior leg compartment?

Answer 5

deep fibular nerve

Question 6

nerve supply to the muscles in the lateral leg compartment?

Answer 6

superficial fibular nerve

Question 7

nerve supply to the muscles in the posterior leg compartment?

Answer 7

tibial nerve

except short head of biceps femoris* - common fibular nerve

Question 8

which gluteal muscle is innervated by the inferior gluteal nerve?

Answer 8

gluteus maximus - the main hip extensor

Question 9

which gluteal muscle(s) are innervated by the superior gluteal nerve?

Answer 9

gluteus medius
gluteus minimus
tensor fascia lata

Question 10

damage to which nerve results in a trendellenberg gait?

Answer 10

superior gluteal nerve

Question 11

what muscles are in the anterior thigh compartment?

Answer 11

thigh flexors: iliacus, psoas major*, sartorius, pectineus

leg extensors: quadriceps (vastus lateralis/int/medialis, rectus femoris)

Question 12

where do the quadriceps muscles insert?

Answer 12

tibial tuberosity

Question 13

name the muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh?

Answer 13

gracilis
obturator internus
adductor brevis
adductor longus
adductor magnus *

Question 14

name the muscles in the posterior thigh compartment?

Answer 14

hamstrings (flex the knee/extend the hip)
- semimembranosus
-semitendinosus
biceps femoris (long head and short head*)

nb: all tibial nerve except short head biceps femoris - common fibular nerve.

Question 15

what is the difference between biceps femoris and rectus femoris?

Answer 15

biceps femoris - hamsting (posterior thigh)

rectus femoris - quadricep (anterior thigh)

Question 16

name the muscles in the lateral leg compartment?

Answer 16

fibularis longus and fibularis brevis

• both superficial fibular nerve
• evert and weakly plantar flex foot

Question 17

name the muscles in the anterior leg compartment?

Answer 17

tibialis anterior
extensor hallucis longus
extensor digitorum longus
fibularis tertius

Question 18

name the muscles in the posterior thigh

Answer 18

superficial/plantar flex ankle: soleus, plantaris, gastrocnemius

deep/ plantar flex ankle & extend toes:

• popliteus
• tibialis posterior
• extensor hallucis longus
• extensor digitorum longus

Question 19

damage to which nerve results in foot drop?

Answer 19

common fibular (peroneal) nerve
- may be due to tight cast/neck of fibula #

Question 20

name the superficial gluteal muscles?

Answer 20

gluteus maximus
gluteus medius
gluteus minimus
tensor fascia late

Question 21

name the deep gluteal muscles?

Answer 21

piriformis
gemelli
obturator internus
quadratus femoris

Question 22

name the borders of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 22

superiolateral: semimembranosus
superiomedial: biceps femoris
inferiolateral/inferiomedial: gastrocnemius
roof:
floor:

Question 23

a person is having trouble climbing stairs/standing from sitting. which nerve is likely damaged?

Answer 23

inferior gluteal nerve - innervates gluteus maximus the main hip extensor/lateral rotator

Question 24

name the borders of the femoral triangle?

Answer 24

medial: adductor longus
lateral: sartorius
superior: inguinal ligament

Question 25

contents of the femoral triangle from lateral to medial?

Answer 25

N femoral nerve
A femoral artery
V femoral vein
E empty space (important for vessel dilation)
L lymphatic canal deep inguinal lymph nodes

note: femoral sheath encloses the nerve, artery and empty space only.

Question 26

is the femoral nerve in the femoral sheath?

Answer 26

NO