Organization Of The Pelvic Limb And Coxofemoral Joint

Question 1

What are some functions of the hindlimb for activities of daily life?

Answer 1

Quadrupedal posture and support
Locomotion
Elimination and reproduction
Somatosensory organ - pain, position, tension, etc

Question 2

What consists of the proximal hindlimb

Answer 2

Gluteal and thigh regions

Question 3

What consists of the leg/distal hindlimb

Answer 3

Crus

Question 4

What consists of the ankle bones

Answer 4

Tarsus

Question 5

What consists of the hindpaw

Answer 5

Pes

Question 6

What are the pelvic limbs adapted for?

Answer 6

Propulsion

Accelerate the center of gravity forward and upward

Question 7

Describe the organization of the pelvic limb

Answer 7

-longer and angular than thoracic limb
-heavily muscled
-connected directly to the vertebral column (SI joints)

Question 8

What joint makes up the hip?

Answer 8

Coxo-femoral joint

Question 9

What joint makes up the stifle?

Answer 9

Femoro-tibial

Question 10

What joint makes up the hock

Answer 10

Talo-crural

Question 11

Where are the metatarsal-phalangeal joints located

Answer 11

Between the hock and the interphalangeal joints

Question 12

Describe the organization of development of the pelvic limb

Answer 12

-in mammals, the hindlimb rotates ventrally during development

-developmentally dorsal compartments are cranial in vivo
-developmentally ventral compartments are caudal in vivo

Question 13

How does the coxofemoral joint move?

Answer 13

A synovial joint incorporating the femoral head within the acetabulum

Distal portion of the limb does the most excursion

Question 14

Describe the stability of the coxofemoral joint

Answer 14

Femur is connected to the acetabulum via:
-ligament of femoral head
-which is a continuation of the transverse acetabular ligament

Question 15

What are the primary aBductors of the hip

Answer 15

Superficial gluteal muscles = gluteus medius, gluteus profundus, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus superficialis

Question 16

What do the superficial gluteal muscles do?

Answer 16

-primarily EXTEND and ABDUCT hip
-innervated by cranial gluteal n
-all originate from illium
-insertion: greater trochanter

Question 17

What does the tensor fasciae latae insert on and what does it do

Answer 17

Inserts on fascia lata and thus the tibia

Flexor of hip, extensor of stifle

Question 18

What is the main nerve of the gluteus superficialis and where does it insert

Answer 18

CAUDAL gluteal nerve

3rd trochanter

Question 19

How does walking work in the stride cycle

Answer 19

Pelvis is suspended on one hindlimb during portions of the stride cycle

Hip abductors contract in the supporting limb to counteract adduction during support

Question 20

What are the primary rotators of the hip

Answer 20

Deep gluteal muscles:

-gemeli
-obturator internus
-quadratus femoris
-obturator externus: obturator nerve, lateral rotator of thigh

Question 21

What do the primary rotators of the hip do

Answer 21

-primarily LATERAL rotators of the hip
-innervated by direct branches off lumbo-sacral trunk
-origin: ischium

Question 22

What is the articularis coxae

Answer 22

Protects hip joint capsule from being nipped between the femoral and acetabular surfaces during movement

Question 23

What are the primary extensors of the hip

Answer 23

Caudal thigh muscles

-biceps femoris
-semimembranosus
-semitendinosus - hip extensor

Question 24

What do the caudal thigh muscles do

Answer 24

-primarily extend hip (also stifle, hock)
-innervated by sciatic nerve
-take origin at least in part from ischial tuberosity

Question 25

What does the biceps femoris do

Answer 25

-caudal part of muscle flexes stifle
-cranial head innervated by caudal gluteal nerve

Question 26

What does the semimembranosus do

Answer 26

Tibial attachment may flex or extend stifle - depends on position of limb

Question 27

What is an example of a taxon-specific muscle of the hip and what does it do?

Answer 27

Caudofemoralis (=gluteofemoralis) - FELINES ONLY

Runs from femur to tail
Helps stabilize femur and move tail

Question 28

What is a carnivore only example of a taxon-specific muscle of the hip

Answer 28

Caudal crural abductor (=tenuissimus in cats)

Question 29

What are the primarily aDductors of the hip

Answer 29

Medial thigh muscles

-sartorius
-pectineus
-adductor - also extends hip
-gracilis - also flex stifle, extend hip and hock

Question 30

Describe the medial thigh muscles

Answer 30

-primarily adduct hip
-take origin from pelvis
-primarily innervated by obturator nerve

Question 31

what does the sartorius do

Answer 31

Origin from ilium
Flex hip
Cranial part - extends stifle
Caudal part - flexes stifle

Femoral nerve

Question 32

What are the primary flexors of the hip

Answer 32

Sublumbar muscles: iliopsoas —> combined insertion tendon of the iliacus (pelvic head) and psoas major (vertebral head)
-innervated by direct branches from lumbosacral plexus and femoral nerve

Extensor muscles of stifle —> quadriceps femoris

Question 33

Describe the process of the femoral artery as the blood supply of the pelvic limb

Answer 33

-is the continuation of the external iliac artery as it leaves the abdomen

-first part has a superficial position in the femoral triangle:
-between sartorius and pectineus
-raises a visible ridge - pulse taking

Question 34

What are the main arteries of the hindlimb?

Answer 34

External iliac
Femoral
Deep femoral
Saphenous
Cranial and caudal branch of the saphenous artery
Popliteal
Cranial tibial
Dorsal pedal

Question 35

What are the arteries of the hip

Answer 35

Femoral
Deep femoral
Medial circumflex femoral
Lateral circumflex femoral
Internal iliac
Caudal gluteal
Cranial gluteal