Posterior Thigh and Popliteal Fossa

Question 1

what are the common properties of the posterior compartment of the thigh

Answer 1

• knee flexion, hip extension (most of them)
• innervation: sciatic nerve (tibial portion)
• common blood supply: profunda femoris

Question 2

what are the muscles of the posterior thigh (4)

Answer 2

1. semimembranosus
2. semitendinosus
3. biceps femoris - long head and short head
4. ADductor magnus hamstring portion -vertical fibres act like a hamstring causing hip extension but no knee flexion

Question 3

semimembranosus:
origin
insertion
action
antagonists
innervation

Answer 3

• origin: superior lateral quadrant of ischial tuberosity
• insertion: posterior surface of medial tibial condyle
• action: knee flexion, hip extension, medial knee rotation
• antagonists: knee extensors, hip flexors
• innervation: tibial portion of sciatic nerve L5, S1, S2

Question 4

semitendinosus:
origin
insertion
action
antagonists
innervation

Answer 4

• origin: medial facet of ischial tuerosity
• insertion: medial tibial condyle
• action: knee flexion, hip extension, medial knee rotation
• antagonists: knee extensors, hip flexors
• innervation: sciatic (tibial portion) L5, S1, S2

Question 5

biceps femoris long head:
origin
insertion
action
antagonists
innervation

Answer 5

• origin: medial facet of ischial tuberosity
• insertion: head of fibula, LCL ligament, lateral tibial condyle
• action: knee flexion, hip extension, lateral knee rotation
• antagonists: knee extensors, hip flexors
• innervation: sciatic (tibial portion) L5, S1, S2

Question 6

biceps femoris short head
origin
insertion
action
antagonists
innervation

Answer 6

• origin: linea aspera, lateral supracondylar line
• insertion: head of fibula, LCL, lateral tibial condyle
• action: knee flexion, lateral knee rotation
• antagonists: knee extensors
• innervation: peroneal portion of sciatic nerve L5, S1, S2

Question 7

what makes up the pes anserine - goose foot

Answer 7

Say Grace Before Tea (mother)
sartorius
gracilis
semitendinosus
(semimembranosus sits behind the bursa)

Question 8

where does the sciatic nerve arise from

Answer 8

sacral plexus L4, L5, S1, S2, S3

Question 9

which nerve innervates the hamstrings, apart from the short head of biceps femoris

Answer 9

tibial portion of the sciatic nerve L4, L5, S1, S2, S3

Question 10

what is the cutaneous innervation of the posterior thigh (1)

Answer 10

posterior femoral cutaneous nerve S1, S3, S3

Question 11

what is the vascular supply of the posterior thigh

Answer 11

femur and hamstrings: profunda femoris artery

drained by PFV, assisted by lymphatics

Question 12

what are the boundaries of the popliteal fossa

Answer 12

• medial and lateral heads of gastroc nemius (plantaris)
• biceps femoris
• semimembranosus/semitendinosus

Question 13

what makes up the floor of the popliteal fossa (4)

Answer 13

• posterior surface of femur
• knee joint capsule
• oblique popliteal ligament
• popliteus muscle

Question 14

what makes up the ceiling of the popliteal fossa

Answer 14

• deep fascia and adipose tissue

Question 15

what is the signigicance of the popliteal fossa

Answer 15

• palpable pulse and doppler
• various patholologies - bakers cyst, arthritus etc
• injectable site

Question 16

what are the contents of the popliteal fossa (5)

Answer 16

1. tibial nerve
2. popliteal artery
3. popliteal vein
4. common peroneal nerve
5. lymph vessels and nodes

Question 17

what is embedded in the adipose tissue of the popliteal fossa (2)

Answer 17

1. posterior femoral cutaneous nerve
2. small saphenous vein