Nerve and Blood Supply of the Lower Limb

Question 1

What are the two main branches from the common iliac arteries?

Answer 1

External and internal iliac arteries

Question 2

Name the two branches of the internal iliac artery

Answer 2

Obturator and superior gluteal

Question 3

Where is the femoral artery found?

Answer 3

The external iliac becomes the femoral artery when it is in-line with the neck of the femur,

Question 4

What is the major deep branch from the femoral artery?

Answer 4

Profunda femoris (deep femoral artery)

Question 5

Where is the popliteal artery found?

Answer 5

Around the knee (it is the femoral artery that has changed it’s name as it passes through the popliteal fossa)

Question 6

Where is the lateral circumflex artery found?

Answer 6

Branch off the profunda femoris (lateral side of the thigh)

Question 7

Where would you find the anterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries?

Answer 7

Anterior tibial is continuation of femoral artery present at the anterior surface of the tibia whereas the dorsalis pedis is a continuation at the top of the foot

Question 8

What does the femoral artery pass through in the popliteal fossa?

Answer 8

split in tendon of adductor magnus

Question 9

What type of blood supply is present at joints?

Answer 9

Collateral

Question 10

Describe the three main branches of the popliteal artery

Answer 10

Splits into anterior and posterior tibial arteries as it exits the popliteal fossa, but the posterior vessels split again to form the posterior tibial artery (medial) and the fibular/peroneal artery (lateral)

Question 11

Describe the deep veins of the lower limb

Answer 11

Femoral vein branches into lateral circumflex and profunda femoris vein. The femoral artery continues to the popliteal fossa, thereafter becoming the popliteal vein. The popliteal vein then splits into the anterior tibial, posterior tibial and fibular/peroneal veins (lateral)

Question 12

Describe the superficial veins of the lower limb

Answer 12

There is the small saphenous vein in the centre of the lower leg (posteriorly) and there is the great saphenous vein which is present in the thigh and leg

Question 13

What does the control of venous return from the lower limb involve?

Answer 13

movement from superficial to deep veins, respiratory pump, muscular pump, smooth muscle (venoconstriction) and unidirectional valves

Question 14

What are varicose veins?

Answer 14

When perforating veins block and blood can’t move from superficial to deep veins so causes blood accumulation near surface of skin.

Question 15

What is meant by ‘compartment syndrome’?

Answer 15

Where the pressure inside a compratment increases

Question 16

What are the nerve roots of the lumbar plexus?

Answer 16

L1-L4

Question 17

What are the three most important nerves from the lumbar plexus?

Answer 17

Femoral, lateral cutaneous and obturator

Question 18

What is the role of the femoral nerve?

Answer 18

Innervates quadriceps and sensory supply to anterior thigh, and medially towards the ankle

Question 19

What is the role of the obturator nerve?

Answer 19

Supplies adductor group of muscles, sensory to medial thigh

Question 20

What is the role of the lateral subcutaneous nerve?

Answer 20

sensory to the lateral thigh

Question 21

What are the nerve roots of the sacral plexus?

Answer 21

L4-S4

Question 22

What are the three most important nerves from the sacral plexus?

Answer 22

Superior gluteal, inferior gluteal and sciatic

Question 23

What is the role of the superior gluteal nerve?

Answer 23

Supplies gluteus medius and minimus (hip abductors)

Question 24

What is the role of the inferior gluteal nerve?

Answer 24

Supplies hip extensor (Gluteus maximus)

Question 25

What is the role of the sciatic nerve?

Answer 25

Supplies hamstrings and all muscles below knee. There are two divisions though - tibial and fibular portions

Question 26

What is sciatica?

Answer 26

Damage to sciatic nerve (usually by hip displacement) causing foot drop, wasting of anything innervated by this nerve

Question 27

What is common peroneal nerve palsy?

Answer 27

Damage to fibular nerve causing foot drop and loss of sensation of lateral leg and top of foot.

Question 28

What is tibial nerve palsy?

Answer 28

Paralysis of plantar flexors results.

Question 29

What is femoral nerve palsy?

Answer 29

Paralysis of triceps occurs, sensory loss of anterior thigh and medial leg. Causes include compression and pelvic fractures.