Nerves & vasculature: lower extremity Flashcards
inferior and superior gluteal nerves and inferior and superior gluteal arteries
together these supply and innervate the muscles of the gluteal region and lateral thigh
superior gluteal artery and nerve
leave the greater sciatic foramen superior to the piriformis muscle
- supplies the posterior pelvic region (the gluteus medius and the gluteus minimus
inferior gluteal artery and nerve
exit the greater sciatic foramen inferior to the piriformis muscle
- a terminal branch of the internal iliac artery supplying the gluteal and thigh regions
- the inferior gluteal nerve supplies the gluteus maximus
Popliteal artery
- When the femoral artery travels through the opening in the adductor magnus and emerges into this space
- ends just inferior to the knee joint as it splits to form the fibular artery and the anterior and posterior tibial artery
popliteal fossa
- the diamond-shaped region at the posterior aspect of the knee
- bounded superiorly by the hamstring tendons on each side, and inferiorly by the lateral and medial heads of the gastrocnemius
popliteal vein
- this runs along the the popliteal artery and is continuous with the femoral vein
- ends just superior to the knee and then becomes the femoral vein
posterior tibial artery
this is a branch off the popliteal artery
- sometimes appears to be a continuation of the popliteal that then has the anterior tibial artery branching off of it
- this is going to run with the tibial nerve
- supplies the posterior compartment of the leg
- is going to divide into the medial and lateral plantar arteries once past the lateral malleolus
anterior tibial artery
this is a branch of the popliteal artery
- it may appear to come off of the posterior tibial artery
- this will run with the deep fibular nerve
- this supplies the anterior compartment of the leg
- this is going to branch into the dorsal pedis artery on the top of the foot
sciatic nerve
- a major nerve extending from the lower end of the spinal cord down the back of the thigh
- comprises the tibial and common fibular (peroneal) nerves together within a fibrous sheath
-runs deep to the piriformis and emerges at the inferior border of this muscle before descending in the posterior thigh
does not innervate any muscles as it passes through the thigh, but its branches innervate hamstring muscles
tibial nerve (division of sciatic nerve)
innervates the muscles in the posterior thigh and posterior leg
- it continues into the leg and travels inferiorly between the superficial and deep posterior compartments of the leg
- it innervates muscles within both compartments
- it branches into the lateral and medial plantar nerves
common fibular nerve (division of sciatic nerve)
innervates the short head of the biceps femoris
- wraps around the head of the fibula
- splits into the superficial and deep fibular nerves
where does the sciatic nerve divide into the tibial nerve and common fibular nerve
the popliteal fossa
posterior tibial artery
- travels with the tibial nerve between the superficial and deep posterior compartments
- supplying both compartments. It then runs around the medial malleolus and divides into the medial and lateral plantar arteries that supply the medial and lateral aspects of the foot
lateral plantar artery
gives off the plantar arch, which gives off digital arteries to supply the foot and toes.
femoral triangle
a space created by the sartorius laterally, the adductor longus medially, and the inguinal ligament superiorly.
- The pectineus muscle forms the floor of this space
- The femoral nerve, femoral artery, and femoral vein travel through this space wrapped together in a common sheath of tissue.
Femoral artery
- an extension of the external iliac artery from the pelvis
- supplies the anterior structures of the thigh
- It is named the femoral artery after it travels deep to the inguinal ligament to enter the leg
deep femoral artery
- largest branch of the femoral artery
- runs posteriorly and supplies the muscles of the posterior and medial regions of the thigh
- the medial and lateral circumflex arteries branch from here
femoral nerve
- branches into many small branches shortly after entering the thigh.
- innervate muscles of the anterior thigh and some fibers of the pectineus
Femoral vein
- travels with the femoral artery through the thigh
- carries blood from the lower extremity back to the pelvis
anterior compartment of the leg
It contains muscles that produce dorsiflexion and participate in inversion and eversion of the foot
- includes vascular and nervous elements including the anterior tibial artery and veins, and the deep fibular nerve
deep fibular nerve
travels through the anterior compartment of the leg and innervates the muscles of this compartment
- travels with the anterior tibial artery
dorsal pedis (dorsalis pedis) artery
- supplies muscles and nerves on the dorsal aspect of the foot
- a continuation of the anterior tibial artery when it crosses the talocrural (ankle) joint
lateral compartment
- lateral portion of space enclosed by the deep fascia of the leg
- separated from the anterior and posterior compartments by the anterior and posterior intermuscular septa of leg
- receives its blood supply from the fibular artery
anterior and posterior intermuscular septa
attach to the fibula
allow for separation of the anterior compartment and the posterior compartment from the lateral compartment
superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve
innervates the muscles of the lateral compartment of the leg
fibular artery
a branch of the posterior tibial artery shortly after it branches from the popliteal artery in the popliteal fossa
feeds the lateral portion of the leg
obturator artery
- branches from the internal iliac artery just inferior to the superior gluteal artery
- runs anterolaterally along the ilium.
- runs through the obturator foramen
- gives off the acetabular branch or the artery to the femoral head.
- supplies the medial thigh muscles
obturator nerve
- this runs along the obturator artery
- innervates the medial thigh muscles
great saphenous vein
- drains into the femoral vein near the hip.
- drains everything that the small saphenous vein doesnt
- runs along the medial side of the lower extremity
small saphenous vein
- drains the lateral foot and leg and drains into the popliteal vein
what are the two main superficifal veins of the leg
the great saphenous vein and the small saphenous vein
fibular vein
travels on the posterolateral aspect of the interosseous membrane with the fibular artery
anterior and posterior tibial veins
drain the anterior and posterior compartments of the leg, respectively, and unite to form the popliteal vein
external iliac vein
this is what the femoral vein turns into as it passes deep to the inguinal ligament
deep femoral vein
a vein that drains into the femoral vein
femoral vein
this becomes the external iliac vein as it passes the inguinal ligament
dorsal pedis artery
- a blood vessel of the lower limb that carries oxygenated blood to the dorsal surface of the foot
- It arises at the anterior aspect of the ankle joint and is a continuation of the anterior tibial artery
medial plantar artery
- much smaller than the lateral plantar artery
- supplies the medial aspect of the foot
plantar arch
formed when the lateral plantar artery turns medially and unites with the deep plantar branch of the dorsalis pedis artery
digital arteries
small arteries that supply the toes
internal iliac artery
the smaller terminal branch of the common iliac artery
external iliac artery
- a major blood vessel transporting oxygenated blood out of the pelvic region and into the leg
medial circumflex femoral artery
- a branch of the deep femoral artery
- an artery in the upper thigh that helps supply blood to the neck of the femur
