neurovasculature of lower limb

Question 1

describe the lumbar plexus and what it gives rise to

Answer 1

the lumbar plexus is formed by the lumbar spinal nerves L1-L4
lumbar plexus gives rise to the femoral nerve, obturator nerve, lateral cutaneous nerve

Question 2

describe the sacral plexus and what it gives rise to

Answer 2

formed by L4, L5, S1 -S4
gives rise superior and inferior gluteal nerve, posterior cutaneous and sciatic nerve

Question 3

what is the lumbosacral plexus?

Answer 3

a network of nerve fibres by the connection of the sacral and lumbar plexus by the lumbosacral trunk

Question 4

nerves of the thigh

Answer 4

femoral nerve
obturator nerve
sciatic nerve
fibular nerve (common and superficial)
fibular nerve (deep and superficial)
tibial nerve (medial and lateral plantar nerve)

Question 5

describe the femoral nerve

Answer 5

arises from L2, L3, L4
emerges from the lateral side of the psoas major, then descends between psoas illiacus
passes thigh-deep to the inguinal ligament and enters the femoral triangle on the anterior surface of the iliopsoas

Question 6

branches of the femoral nerve

Answer 6

muscular, cutaneous and articular

Question 7

describe the obturator nerve and its passage through the thigh

Answer 7

arises from L2, L3, L4
exits the psoas major on the lateral aspect and crosses the ala of the sacrum, running along the pelvic wall, exits the pelvis through the obturator canal

Question 8

what are the innervations and branches of the obturator nerve

Answer 8

obturator externus and hip joint
anterior branch: adductor longus, adductor brevis, graciis, pectineus and skin of MT
post branch: addcutor magnus

Question 9

describe the sciatic nerve and its passage through the thigh

Answer 9

arises L4, L5, S1, S2 and S3
enters the gluteal region via the greater sciatic foramen inferior to piriformis msucle deep to gluts max
travels deep to bicep femoris, along posterior surface of addcutor magnus

Question 10

list the innervations and branches of the sciatic nerve

Answer 10

branches into tibial and common fibular nerve proximal to the popliteal fossa
innervates hamstring group, long head of bicep fem adductor magnus (tib) and short head of bicep fem (fib.)

Question 11

describe the common fibular nerve and its innervations

Answer 11

arises from L4,5 and S1,2
passes the popliteal fossa on the lateral side and over the head of the fibular and around the neck and divides deep behind the fibularis longus into the superficial and deep fibular nerve
fibular nerve innervates the knee joint

Question 12

describe the superficial fibular nerve

Answer 12

descends through the lateral compartments of the leg ad emerges from between the fibularis muscle and travels through subcutaneous tissue of the dorsal surface of the foot
innervates the lateral compartment of the leg

Question 13

describe the deep fibular nerve

Answer 13

runs anteriorly over the fibular and enters the anterior compartment shortly after bifurcation of the common fibular passing deep to the EDL
arises proximal to the talocrural joint between tendons of tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus

Question 14

describe the deep fibular nerve in relation to the digits of the foot

Answer 14

along the dorsum of the foot to terminate as two cutaneous branches to lateral hallux and medial aspect of 2nd digit

Question 15

describe the tibial nerve

Answer 15

arises from L4, L5, S1, S2, S3
travels through the popliteal fossa along the popliteus, posterior surface of the tibialis posterior with the posterior tibia vessels

Question 16

tibial nerve branches are

Answer 16

bifurcates as it enters the plantar aspect of the foot into medial and lateral plantar nerves

Question 17

describe the medial plantar nerve and its innervations

Answer 17

travels distally along the foot between abductor hallucis and FDB and divides into the muscular and 4 digital plantar nerves
innervation adductor hallucis, FDB, FHB, 1st lumbrical and skin on MPS

Question 18

describe the lateral plantar nerve and its innervations

Answer 18

runs laterally between flexor digitorum brevis and quadratus plantae and divides into the deep. and superficial LPN
innervates quadratus plantae and adductor digiti minimi

Question 19

what are the branches of the lateral plantar nerve and their innervations

Answer 19

superficial and deep lateral plantar nerves
superifical innervates FDMB, 3rd plantar and 4th dorsal interossei
deep innervated all interossei, lubricates 2,3,4 and both head of adductor hallucis

Question 20

list the arteries of the foot

Answer 20

dorsalis pedis
medial and lateral malleolar arteries
lateral tarsal arteries
arcuate artery
dorsal digital and metatarsal arteries
medial, deep and lateral plantar arteries

Question 21

describe the femoral artery and its branches

Answer 21

is a continuation of the external iliac artery and becomes the femoral artery after passing deep to the inguinal ligament then through the adductor canal
branches into the deep artery of the thigh

Question 22

what does the femoral artery supply

Answer 22

sartorius, vasust med., adductors and skin of anterior and anteromedial thigh

Question 23

what is the femoral arteries’ continuation

Answer 23

popliteal artery after exiting the adductor canal at the hiatus

Question 24

describe the deep femoral artery and list its branches

Answer 24

arises from the lateral aspect of the femoral artery about 4cm distal to inguinal ligament
branches into the medial and lateral circumflex and perforating

Question 25

describe the popliteal artery and its branches

Answer 25

continuation of the femoral artery from adductor hiatus to distal border of adductor hiatus
gives rise to the genicular arteries which anastomose around the knee

Question 26

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