TBL7 - Fascia of Thigh and Leg Flashcards
What is the deep fascia of the thigh continuous with? What is the lateral thickening of the fascia lata called? What does deep fascia do?
1) The deep fascia of the thigh (aka fascia lata) is continuous with the deep fascia of the leg
2) The lateral thickening of the fascia lata is called the ilialtibial tract (IT band)
3) The deep fasciae invest the lower limb like an elastic stocking
What is a function of fasciae in relation to blood flow?
1) The fasciae limit outward distension of contracting muscles
2) Thus, the contractile force “squeezes” veins of the lower limb to assist blood flow against gravity toward the heart
What two veins connect together to form the subcutaneous great saphenous vein? What two veins connect together to form the small saphenous vein?
1) The subcutaneous great saphenous vein is formed by union of the dorsal vein of the big (great) toe and dorsal venous arch of the foot
2) Union of the dorsal vein of the little toe and dorsal venous arch form the small saphenous vein
Where do the great and small saphenous veins travel?
1) Great saphenous vein:
a) Ascends anterior to the medial malleolus
b) Passes posterior to the medial condyle of the femur (about a hand’s breadth posterior to the medial border of the patella)
c) Empties into the femoral vein
2) Small saphenous vein:
a) Ascends posterior to the lateral malleolus as a continuation of the lateral marginal vein
b) Passes along the lateral border of the calcaneal (achilles) tendon
c) Empties into the popliteal vein in the popliteal fossa
Where do lymphatic vessels that accompany the great and small saphenous veins drain into?
Superficial lymphatic vessels accompany the great and small saphenous veins and drain into the superficial inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes, respectively
What cutaneously innervates the anterior aspect of the thigh? The medial aspect? The lateral aspect? The posterior aspect?
1) The femoral nerve
2) The obturator nerve
3) The lateral cutaneous nerve
4) The posterior cutaneous nerve
Which nerve is sensory to the anteromedial leg and medial side of the ankle? Which nerve is sensory to the inferolateral leg? Which nerve is sensory to the lateral side of the ankle?
1) The saphenous nerve is sensory to the anteromedial leg and medial side of the ankle
2) The common fibular (peroneal) nerve is sensory to the inferolateral leg
3) The superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve is sensory to the lateral side of the ankle
Why does the great saphenous vein or its tributaries often become varicose? Why can a deep vein thrombus in the lower limb be fatal?
1) Frequently, the great saphenous vein and its tributaries become varicose (dilated so that the cusps of their valves do not close)
2) In a healthy vein, the valves allow blood to flow toward the heart while keeping blood from flowing away from the heart. Valves in varicose veins are incompetent due to dilation or rotation and no longer function properly. As a result, blood flows inferiorly in the veins, producing varicose veins
2) Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of one or more of the deep veins of the lower limb is characterized by swelling, warmth, and erythema (inflammation and infection). Venous stasis (stagnation) is an important cause of thrombus formation
3) A large thrombus that breaks free from a lower limb vein may travel to a lung, forming a pulmonary thromboembolism (obstruction of a pulmonary artery). A large embolus may obstruct a main pulmonary artery and may cause death
When is a saphenous cutdown required and where can sensory loss occur after the procedure?
1) A saphenous cutdown, is used to insert a cannula for prolonged administration of blood, plasma expanders, electrolytes, or drugs
2) The saphenous nerve accompanies the great saphenous vein anterior to the medial malleolus. Should this nerve be cut during a saphenous cutdown or caught by a ligature during closure of a surgical wound, the patient may complain of pain or numbness along the medial border of the foot
