Proximal neurovasculature Flashcards
Where does the sacral plexus sit?
Postero-lateral pelvic wall
What nerves are found in the sacral plexus?
Superior gluteal nerve (L4-S1) - gluteus medius and minimus
Sciatic nerve (L4-S3) - posterior compartment of thigh, leg compartments and foot
Pudendal nerve (S2-4) - sensation to external genitalia, voluntary sphincters (micturition)
Nerve to levator ani (S4) - pelvic floor
Lumbosacral trunk (L4-L5)
Sympathetic chain
What does the lumbar plexus innervate?
Anterior and medial thigh muscles
What nerves are found in the lumbar plexus?
Subcostal (T12) Iliohypogastric (L1) Ilioinguinal (L1) Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh (L2,L3) Femoral ((L2-L4) Genitofemoral (L1,L2) Obturator (L2-L4) Lumbosacral trunk (L4,L5)
What is meralgia paraesthetica?
Compression of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh causing loss of sensation to the lateral portion of the thigh - compression can be caused by underwear/ belts etc.
[Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh enters the anterior thigh close to the ASIS]
What nerves are found in the sacral plexus?
Superior gluteal nerve (L4-S1) - gluteus medius and minimus
Sciatic nerve (L4-S3) - posterior compartment of thigh, leg compartments and foot
Pudendal nerve (S2-4) - sensation to external genitalia, voluntary sphincters (micturition)
Nerve to levator ani (S4) - pelvic floor
Lumbosacral trunk (L4-L5)
Sympathetic chain
What does the lumbar plexus innervate?
Anterior and medial thigh muscles
What nerves are found in the lumbar plexus?
Subcostal (T12) Iliohypogastric (L1) Ilioinguinal (L1) Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh (L2,L3) Femoral ((L2-L4) Genitofemoral (L1,L2) Obturator (L2-L4) Lumbosacral trunk (L4,L5)
What is meralgia paraesthetica?
Compression of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh causing loss of (/ burning) sensation to the lateral portion of the thigh - compression can be caused by underwear/ belts etc.
[Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh enters the anterior thigh close to the ASIS]
At what point are you able to palpate the femoral artery?
Midinguinal point (+/- 1.5cm)
Where does the femoral vein sit in relation to the femoral artery?
Approx. 1cm medially
What happens to the femoral artery and the saphenous nerve once they have entered the thigh?
Enter the subsartorial/ adductor canal and then pass into the popliteal fossa
Where does the adductor (sartorius) canal run?
Deep to the sartorius down the middle 1/3 of the medial thigh to the adductor hiatus
Where do you find the superficial inguinal nodes?
Horizontal group sit just inferiorly to the inguinal ligament
Vertical group follow proximal part of saphenous vein
Where do you find the deep inguinal nodes?
One group in femoral triangle medial to femoral vein (Cloquet’s node)
What regions drain into the inguinal lymph nodes?
Lower limb Perineal region Penis Lower anal canal Lower vagina Anterior labia majora/ scrotal skin
Other than swollen lymph nodes, what can cause a lump in the groin region?
Dilation of the great saphenous vein (superficial) forming a saphena varix
What bones make up the leg?
Tibia (larger and medial) and Fibula (smaller and lateral)
What are the compartments of the leg?
Anterior
Posterior (biggest/ strongest)
Lateral
What is the function of the anterior compartment of the leg?
Foot + digit dorsiflexors (toe up, heel into floor) and invertors