Posterior Thigh & Knee Flashcards
What are the 2 bones of the leg?
How are they positioned relative to each other?
the tibia and the fibula
the tibia is much larger and lies medially
the fibula is much thinner and lies laterally
What part of the fibula is involved in the knee joint?
the fibula is NOT involved in the knee joint
only the proximal tibia articulates with the distal femur to form the knee joint
Label the components of the tibia, femur and fibula
What are the 3 articulations of the knee joint?
femorotibial articulations:
there is a medial and a lateral femorotibial articulation
femoropatellar articulation:
this is between the distal femur and the patella
What does the proximal aspect of the tibia provide important attachments for?
- ligaments that stabilise the knee joint
- muscles that move the knee joint
label the important bony landmarks on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the proximal tibia
What group of muscles insert onto the tibial tuberosity?
the quadriceps femoris tendon and the associated muscles:
- rectus femoris
- vastus lateralis
- vastus intermedius
- vastus medialis
insert onto the tibial tuberosity and extend the leg at the knee joint
How is the proximal fibula involved in the knee joint?
it is not part of the knee joint but it acts as an attachment site for ligaments that stabilise the knee and muscles that move theknee
What nerve is vulnerable to injury in fracture of the proximal femur?
the common peroneal nerve
this winds around the neck of the fibula
label the features of the proximal fibula
What are the 4 hamstring muscles found in the posterior thigh?
- semimembranosus
- semitendinosus
- long head of biceps femoris
- hamstring part of adductor magnus
What nerve innervates the muscles of the posterior thigh?
sciatic nerve
this bifurcates into 2 major nerves as it travels down the posterior thigh:
- tibial nerve
- common fibular (peroneal) nerve
complete the table describing the hamstring muscles
What are the functions of semimembranosus and semitendinosus?
- flex the leg at the knee joint
- extend the thigh at the hip joint
- medially rotates the thigh at the hip joint and leg at the knee joint
Why is the short head of the biceps femoris not considered a hamstring muscle?
it originates from the posterior aspect of the femoral shaft
it is not considered a hamstring muscle as it does not originate from the ischial tuberosity meaning that it CANNOT EXTEND THE HIP
label the hamstring muscles
What is the insertion, action and innervation of the short head of biceps femoris?
insertion:
head of fibula
action:
flexion of the leg at the knee joint
innervation:
common fibular division of sciatic nerve
What are the functions of both the adductor and hamstring parts of adductor magnus?
they can both adduct the hip
the adductor portion can also flex the hip
the hamstring portion can extend the hip
What is the action of the adductor magnus on the knee?
the adductor magnus cannot act on the knee
it attaches to the distal femur so does not span the knee joint
What is the insertion, action and innervation of adductor magnus?
insertion:
adductor tubercle and supracondylar line
action:
adduction and extension of the hip
innervation:
tibial division of sciatic nerve (L2, L3, L4)
Label the components of adductor magnus
What is the vascular supply of the posterior thigh?
branches from the inferior gluteal artery and perforating branches of the profunda femoris artery
the perforating branches perforate the adductor magnus through the adductor hiatus
How is the popliteal artery formed?
the femoral artery passes through the adductor canal, which ends in the adductor ihatus
after passing through the adductor hiatus, the femoral artery becomes the popliteal artery
What are the divisions of the popliteal artery?
at the lower border of popliteus, the popliteal artery bifurcates into:
- anterior tibial artery
- tibioperoneal trunk
The tibioperoneal trunk then divides into:
- posterior tibial artery
- fibular (peroneal) artery
label the arteries
What is the popliteal fossa?
a diamond-shaped depression located behind the knee
it is the main path by which vessels and nerves pass between the thigh and the leg
What are the borders of the popliteal fossa?
superomedial border:
semimembranosus
superolateral border:
biceps femoris
inferomedial border:
medial head of gastrocnemius
inferolateral border:
lateral head of gastrocnemius and plantaris
Label the borders of the popliteal fossa
What forms the floor and roof of the popliteal fossa?
Floor:
- posterior surface of the knee joint and the posterior surface of the femur
Roof:
- popliteal fascia and skin
- the popliteal fascia is continuous with the fascia lata of the leg