Popliteal Fossa And Leg

Question 1

What is crural fascia?

Answer 1

• The deep fascia of the thigh
• continuous with the fascia lata
• continuous with the periosteum of the tibia on its anterior and medial surfaces

Question 2

Where is crural fascia thickened?

Answer 2

• near the distal end of the leg

- thickened as superior and inferior extensor retinacula

Question 3

Anterior and posterior crural intermuscular septa

Answer 3

• extend from the deep side of the fascia

- attach to the lateral edge of the fibula and divide the 3 compartments of the leg

Question 4

Tibial nerve

Answer 4

• formed from ventral divisions of ventral rami L4-S3

- branch of sciatic nerve

Question 5

What do the muscular branches of the tibial nerve innervate?

Answer 5

The muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg

-this ends as the medial and lateral plantar nerves of the foot

Question 6

Medial sural cutaneous nerve

Answer 6

• contributes to sural nerve

- cutaneous nerve that innervates the inferior lateral posterior part of leg and sole of foot

Question 7

Common fibular nerve

Answer 7

• branches into superficial and deep branches (innervate the 2 muscular compartments of leg)
• wraps laterally around the neck of the fibula and then deep to the peroneus longus muscle

Question 8

Deep fibular nerve

Answer 8

• innervates the muscles of the anterior crural compartment
• pierces the anterior crural intermuscular septum to descend on the anterior surface of the interosseus membrane
• deep to the extensor retinacula

Question 9

Superficial fibular n.

Answer 9

• innervates the muscles of the lateral crural compartment

- descends posterolateral to the anterior crural intermuscular septum

Question 10

What makes up the genicular anastomosis?

Answer 10

• medial and lateral superior genicular arteries
• middle genicular artery
• medial and lateral inferior circumflex femoral artery
• descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery
• anterior and posterior recurrent tibial artery
• circumflex fibular artery

Question 11

Popliteal artery has muscular branches to?

Answer 11

The heads of the gastrocnemius

Question 12

What are the terminal ranches of the popliteal artery?

Answer 12

-anterior and posterior tibial arteries

Question 13

Anterior tibial artery branch

Answer 13

-penetrates the interosseus membrane to reach the anterior compartment of the leg

Question 14

Anterior tibial artery

Answer 14

• becomes dorsalis pedis artery on the dorsal surface of the foot
• supplies the anterior muscle compartment

Question 15

Posterior tibial artery

Answer 15

• neurovascular bundle (post. tibial artery + nerve) lies between the superficial and deep divisions of the posterior compartment of the leg
• goes around medial malleolus to end on plantar surface of foot as medial and lateral plantar artery

Question 16

Fibular artery

Answer 16

-begins distal to popliteus muscle and descends along fibula

Question 17

Muscular branches of fibular artery supply blood to?

Answer 17

• the lateral crural compartment

- since there is no major artery in the lateral compartment

Question 18

Shin splints

Answer 18

• inflammation or swelling of tibialis anterior
• causing pressure on encasing crural fascia
• tearing of tibialis anterior origin
• tibialis posterior attached to interosseus membrane is irritated with excess/forceful dorsiflexion

Question 19

Foot drop

Answer 19

-loss of tibialis anterior by damage to sciatic, common peroneal, or deep peroneal

Question 20

Main dorsiflexor

Answer 20

Tibialis anterior

Question 21

Most common sites for sciatic damage

Answer 21

Severe trauma in the gluteal region or posterior thigh

Question 22

How can the common fibular nerve be damaged?

Answer 22

Due to blunt trauma

-it is close to the surface

Question 23

What type of joint is the knee joint?

Answer 23

Hinge type synovial

-permitting some rotation

Question 24

Describe the femur when knee is fully extended and ‘locked’

Answer 24

Femur is medially rotated on the tibia (closed chain)

Question 25

What is the role of the popliteus muscle?

Answer 25

It laterally rotates the femur and “unlocks” the knee extension

Question 26

Popliteus action in open chain

Answer 26

Medially rotate the tibia on the femur

Question 27

Lateral collateral ligament

Answer 27

• splits the tendons of insertion of the two heads of biceps
• overlies the origin of the popliteus

Question 28

Medial collateral ligament

Answer 28

-medial fibers are strongly attached to the medial meniscus (intrinsic)

Question 29

Patellar ligament

Answer 29

• external

- intrinsic part close to patella as it approaches the articular surface

Question 30

Oblique popliteal ligament

Answer 30

• tendon of semimembranosus

- intrinsic-support of capsule

Question 31

Arcuate popliteal ligament

Answer 31

• branched ligament from head of fibula to the intercondylar space of tibia and lateral epicondyle of femur
• intrinsic-support of capsule

Question 32

Internal ligaments of the knee:

Answer 32

• anterior cruciate
• posterior cruciate
• medial meniscus
• lateral meniscus

Question 33

Anterior cruciate ligament

Answer 33

• Prevents posterior displacement of femur on tibia

- tight when fully extended

Question 34

Posterior cruciate ligament

Answer 34

• prevents anterior displacement of femur on tibia

- tight when fully flexed

Question 35

Medial meniscus

Answer 35

Attached to tibia by coronary ligament

Question 36

Lateral meniscus

Answer 36

Attached to tibia by coronary ligament

Question 37

Proximal tibiofibular joint

Answer 37

• Synovial joint planar type

- supported by fibrous capsule surrounding joint

Question 38

Distal tibiofibular joint

Answer 38

• fibrous syndesmosis type

- anchored by an interosseous membrane

Question 39

Transverse tibiofibular ligament

Answer 39

-deep part of the posterior tibiofibular ligament