Posterior Thigh and Popliteal Fossa Flashcards
The posterior thigh contains what group of muscles?
Hamstring muscles
What three hamstring muscles are in the posterior thigh?
- Semitendinosus
- Semimembranous
- Biceps femoris
What actions do the hamstring muscles perform?
- Extend the hip
- Flex the knee
What is the common proximal attachment for all hamstring muscles?
The ischial tuberosity
What muscle of the posterior thigh is located on the medial aspect?
Semitendinosus
What muscle is located adjacent to the semitendinosus muscle?
Semimembranosus
How many heads does the biceps femoris have?
2 - a long and a short
When the knee is flexed, what muscle forms lateral rotation?
Biceps femoris
When the knee is flexed, what muscles form medial rotation?
- Semimembranous
- Semitendinosus
- Gracilis
- Sartorius
Where does division of the sciatic nerve into its terminal branches occur?
The popliteal fossa
What forms the superior boundary of the popliteal fossa?
Biceps femoris laterally
Semimembranous and semitendinous medially
What forms the inferior boundary of the popliteal fossa?
The medial and lateral heads of gastrocnemius
What nerve leaves the popliteal fossa to innervate the leg and foot?
The sural nerve
What are the contents of the popliteal fossa?
- Popliteal artery and vein
- Tibial and common peroneal nerves
What forms the floor of the popliteal fossa?
The popliteal surface of the femur and capsule of the knee joint
What is the name of the ligament that is an expansion of the semimembranosus tendon that runs obliquely across the posterior aspect of the knee?
Oblique popliteal ligament
What ligament is a thickening of the knee joint capsule where its pierced by the popliteus muscle?
Arcuate ligament
What vessels pierce the knee joint capsule to supply the cruciate ligaments?
Middle genicular vessels
What are the genicular arteries a branch of?
Popliteal artery
When does the femoral artery become the popliteal artery?
When it passes through the adductor hiatus
How many genicular branches come from the popliteal artery and where are they located?
There are 5 genicular branches that wrap around the posterior knee
