The Thigh and Knee Flashcards
Where is the lumbosarcal plexus located?
Abdomen and pelvis
What does the lumbosacral plexus innervate?
The lower limb

What spinal nerves form the lumbar plexus?
L1-L4
At each vertebral level, paired spinal nerves leave the spinal cord via the intervertebral foramina of the vertebral column. Each nerve then divides into anterior and posterior nerve fibres.
The lumbar plexus begins as the anterior fibres of the spinal nerves L1, L2, L3, and L4.

What are the 6 major branches of the lumbar plexus?
- Iliohypogastric
- Ilioinguinal
- Genitofemoral
- Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh
- Obturator nerve
- Femoral nerve

What spinal nerves form the lumbosacral trunk?
L4 and L5 - these then make connections with nerves from the sacral plexus. Together these form the lumbosacral plexus.
What is the major nerve formed by the lumbosacral trunk?
Sciatic nerve
What 2 parts does the sciatic nerve consist of?
Common fibular part and tibial part

What are the roots of the obturator nerve?
L2, L3, L4

What are the roots of the femoral nerve?
L2, L3, L4

What are the motor functions of the obturator nerve?
Innervates the muscles of the medial thigh:
- Obturator externus
- Adductor longus
- Adductor brevis
- Adductor magnus
- Gracilis
What are the sensory functions of the obturator nerve?
Innervates the skin over the medial thigh.
What are the motor functions of the femoral nerve?
Innervates the muscles of the anterior thigh – the illiopsoas, pectineus, sartorius and quadriceps femoris.
What are the sensory functions of the femoral nerve?
Innervates the skin on the anterior thigh and the medial leg
What forms the sacral plexus?
Formed by the anterior rami (divisions) of the sacral spinal nerves S1, S2, S3 and S4.
It also receives contributions from the lumbar spinal nerves L4 and L5 (lumbosarcal trunk)
How does the sacral plexus begin? How does this then form the lumbosacral trunk?
The sacral plexus begins as the anterior fibres of the spinal nerves S1, S2, S3, and S4.
They are joined by the 4th and 5th lumbar roots, which combine to form the lumbosacral trunk –> this descends into the pelvis to meet the sacral roots as they emerge from the spinal cord.

What are the 2 main destinations of the major nerves of the sacral plexus?
- Remain in pelvis to innervate structures here
- Leave the pelvis via the greater sciatic foramen
What is the 1st major branch of the sacral plexus?
Superior gluteal nerve

What are the spinal roots of the superior gluteal nerve?
L4, L5, S1
Motor function of superior gluteal nerve?
Innervates the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fascia lata
Sensory function of the superior gluteal nerve?
None
Route of the superior gluteal nerve?
The superior gluteal nerve leaves the pelvis via the greater sciatic foramen, entering the gluteal region superiorly to the piriformis muscle. It is accompanied by the superior gluteal artery and vein for much of its course.
Route of the inferior gluteal nerve?
The inferior gluteal nerve leaves the pelvis via the greater sciatic foramen, entering the gluteal region inferiorly to the piriformis muscle.
It is accompanied by the inferior gluteal artery and vein for much of its course.
Roots of the inferior gluteal nerve?
L5, S1, S2

Motor and sensory function of the inferior gluteal nerve?
Motor Functions: Innervates gluteus maximus.
Sensory Functions: None.
What are the roots of the sciatic nerve?
L4, L5, S1, S2, S3

Motor functions of the sciatic nerve?
Tibial portion – Innervates the muscles in the posterior compartment of the thigh (apart from the short head of the biceps femoris), and the hamstring component of adductor magnus. Innervates all the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg and sole of the foot.
Common fibular portion – Short head of biceps femoris, all muscles in the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg and extensor digitorum brevis.
Sensory function of the sciatic nerve?
Tibial portion: supplies the skin of the posterolateral leg, lateral foot and the sole of the foot.
Common fibular portion: supplies the skin of the lateral leg and the dorsum of the foot.
What is the bone of the thigh?
The femur
What does the distal femur articulate with?
The proximal part of the large bone of the leg - the tibia - at the knee joint
How does the femur lie? What is the purpose of this angulation?
- The femur lies obliquely as the knee joint lies directly below the hip joint
- This angulation of the femur returns the body weight to the midline

Anterior view of right distal femur

Posterior view of the distal femur. What are the 2 bony prominences highlighted?

Medial and lateral lips of the linea aspera (important for muscle attachment)
Posterior view of right distal femur. What is highlighted in pink?

Medial and lateral supracondylar lines - sitting just proximal to the condyles
What is highlighted in yellow (posterior view)?

Medial and lateral condyles of the femur
What is highlighted here in black (posterior view)?

Intercondylar notch
What is highlighted here in pink?

Adductor tubercle
What is highlighted in blue (anterior view)?

Patellar surface - articulation with patella of knee cap
Diagram of tibia and fibula

Does the fibula participate in the knee joint?
No but is an important attachment site for one of the posterior thigh muscles
Anterior view of right proximal tibia and fibula

Posterior view of right proximal tibia and fibula

How do the tibia and fibula lie in relation to each other?
Fibula lies laterally and tibia lies medially
What is being pointed to?

Medial and lateral tibial condyles
What is highlighted in pink?

tibial tuberosity
What line is highlighted here?

Sharp anterior border of tibia - can be palpated anteriorly in leg
What is highlighted here in blue?

Head, with the neck lying just underneath
What is highlighted in yellow?

Tibial plateaus - flattened areas on proximal part of tibia that articulate with the femoral condyles
What do the tibial plateaus articulate with?
The femoral condyles
What is highlighted in blue?

Intercondylar tubercles
What is highlighted in purple?

Soleal line
What is circled in green?

Fibular head wih neck just underneath
What is found between the fibula and tibia?
Strong interosseous membrane (has small holes in it to allow for passage of vessels through)
What 3 bones are involved in the knee joint?
- Distal femur
- Proximal tibia
- Patella

What type of joint is the knee joint?
A synovial hinge joint
What movements are allowed at the knee joint?
Flexion and extension
Very small degree of rotation
What 3 articulations are found at the knee joint?
- 2 femorotibial (medial and lateral sides)
- Femoropatellar (between posterior aspect of patella and anterior aspect of distal femur)
The joint surfaces in the knee are incongruent. What adds stability to the knee joint?
- surrounding muscles
- menisci (cartilage)
- ligaments inside (intra-articular) and outside (extra-articular) the joint
Label purple, yellow and blue - structures that aid stability
Purple - intra-articular ligaments
Yellow - extra-artciular ligaments
Purple - surrounding muscles
What are the menisci?
C-shaped regions of fibrocartilage located on the medial and lateral aspects of the knee joint

Function of the menisci?
Tibial plateau deepened by 2 plates of fibrocartilage – the menisci
Functions:
- Increase joint congruency by creating a better fit for the femoral condyles
- Distribute weight evenly across joint
- Shock absorption
- Assist in locking mechanism
The external edges of the menisci are thicker. Why is this?
External edges attach to the fibrous capsule of the joint
Menisci in cadaveric image

Difference in stability of joint in flexion vs extension
Extension :
- Most congruence
- Most stable
Flexion:
- Least congruence
- Least stable

What are the collateral ligaments?
- Lateral/fibula collateral ligament
- Medial/tibial collateral ligament

What ligament is highlighted in purple?

Lateral/fibula collateral
How does the fibular collateral:
- Attach to the meniscus?
- What is its shape?
- What movement does it prevent?
- Cord-like band
- NOT attached to meniscus
- Prevents adduction of the leg at the knee
What ligament is highlighted in blue?

Tibial/medial collateral ligament
How does the tibial collateral:
- Attach to the meniscus?
- What is its shape?
- What movement does it prevent?
- Flat band
- Attached to meniscus
- Prevents abduction of the leg at the knee
What are the cruciate ligaments?
Found inside the knee joint –> intra-articular
How many cruciate ligaments are there?
2 per knee:
- Anterior (ACL)
- Posterior (PCL)

What is the function of the ACL?
- Prevents anterior displacement of the tibia on the femur
- Prevents hyperextension of the knee
When is the ACL most often injured?
When the knee is hyperextended or force is applied anteriorly
What is the function of the PCL?
- Prevents posterior displacement of the tibia on the femur
- Prevents hyperflexion
- Main stabiliser of the flexed knee when weight bearing e.g. walking down hill
When is the PCL most often injured?
Can be inured when landing on the tibial tuberosity with the knee flexed
Posterior view of knee (with lots of tissues removed)

What is highlighted in yellow?

Tibial plat
What is highlighted in black?

Menisci (medial and lateral)
What is highlighted in orange, green and blue?

Orange - Flat bandlike tibial/medial collateral ligament
Green - Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
Blue - Cordlike fibular/lateral collateral ligament
Why are the tibial collateral ligament and the medial mediscus often injured together?
As they are connected

What are the main stabilisers of the knee?
Muscles in the thigh that cross the knee
What are the 3 compartments of muscles in the knee?
- Anterior
- Posterior
- Medial
What are the muscles of the thigh separated by?
Fascial septae and enclosed by a fibrous sleeve called the fascia lata

Where do the extensors of the knee lie?
In the anterior thigh (don’t get confused with the hip)
Where do the flexors of the knee lie?
In the posterior thigh
What is the action of the muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh?
Act upon the hip joint - adduction
What are the muscles of the anterior thigh?
- Iliopsoas
- Quadriceps femoris
- Sartorius
- Tensor fascia lata
- Pectineus
What are the muscles of the anterior thigh innervated by?
Mostly by the femoral nerve
What is the action of iliopsoas?
Flexes the hip –> is the major flexor of the hip
Attachments of iliopsoas?
Iliacus: originates from the iliac fossa
Psoas major: originates from the lumbar vertebrae.
Both pass under the inguinal ligament, form a common tendon and insert onto the lesser trochanter
Innervation of iliopsoas?
The psoas major is innervated by anterior rami of L1-3, while the iliacus is innervated by the femoral nerve.
What is the action of pectineus?
Flexes and adducts the hip
How does pectineus contribute to the femoral triangle?
The pectineus muscle is a flat muscle that forms the base of the femoral triangle
Attachments of pectineus?
It originates from the pectineal line on the anterior surface of the pelvis, and attaches to the pectineal line on the posterior side of the femur, just inferior to the lesser trochanter.
Innervation of pectineus?
Femoral nerve. May also receive a branch from the obturator nerve.
What makes up the quadriceps femoris?
4 muscles, ‘the quads’:
- Vastus Lateralis
- Vastus Intermedius
- Vastus Medialis
- Rectus Femoris
Actions of the quadriceps femoris?
Powerful extensors of the knee –> Extend the knee and stabilise the patella.
EXCEPT rectus femoris which is the only muscle of the quadriceps to cross both the hip and knee joints. It flexes the thigh at the hip joint, and extends at the knee joint.
Innervation of quadriceps femoris?
All 4 innervated by the femoral nerve
Attachments of rectus femoris?
Originates from the anterior inferior iliac spine and the area of the ilium immediately superior to the acetabulum. It runs straight down the leg and attaches to the patella via the quadriceps femoris tendon.
What muscles is highlighted in pink?

Sartorius
What are the attachments of sartorius?
ASIS –> medial tibia
Easily recognisable as is a bandlike thin muscle that takes an oblique course across the thigh
Actions of sartorius?
Cross the knee and the hip:
At the hip joint, it is a flexor, abductor and lateral rotator. At the knee joint, it is also a flexor.
Innervation of sartorius?
Femoral nerve
What is highlighted here in blue?

Tensor fascia lata (is actually a gluteal muscle but can see when looking at the thigh anteriorly)
What are the attachments of TFL?
Originates from the anterior iliac crest, attaching to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). It inserts into the iliotibial tract (lateral side of thigh)
Actions of TFL?
Flexes the hip and stabilises the knee
What are the spinal roots of the femoral nerve?
L2-4
How do all 4 muscles of Quadriceps Femoris converge?
Converge onto quadriceps tendon which runs over the patella and onto the patella tendon which itself attaches to the tibial tuberosity
What is highlighted here in yellow? What are its attachments?

Vastus intermedius: originates from the anterior femur
Name the highlighted muscles and their origins

- Yellow –> Vastus intermedius, originates from the anterior tibia
- Blue –> Vastus lateralis, originates from the greater trochanter and the linea aspera
- N.B this is a posterior origin that then comes around anteriorly
- Green –> Vastus medialis, originates from the intertrochanteric line and the linea aspera
- Orange –> Rectus femoris, originates from the AIIS (so can contribute to hip flexion too)
What are the boudaries of the femoral triangle?
- Superior: inguinal ligament
- Lateral: medial border of sartorius
- Medial: medial border of adductor longus

What forms the floor and the roof of the femoral triangle?
- Floor: pectineus, iliopsoas and adductor longus muscles
- Roof: fascia lata
What branch of the femoral artery arises in the femoral triangle?
Profunda femoris
What major superficial vein drains into the femoral vein in the femoral triangle?
Greater saphenous vein
What are the structures in the femoral triangle from lateral to medial?
Femoral nerve, femoral artery, femoral vein

What is being pointed at here? (femoral artery and vein have been removed)

Red: profunda femoris
Blue: point where great saphenous vein drains into femoral vein
Where is the great saphenous vein formed?
The great saphenous vein is formed by the dorsal venous arch of the foot, and the dorsal vein of the great toe. It ascends up the medial side of the leg, passing anteriorly to the medial malleolus at the ankle, and posteriorly to the medial condyle at the knee.
As the vein moves up the leg, it receives tributaries from other small superficial veins. The great saphenous vein terminates by draining into the femoral vein immediately inferior to the inguinal ligament.

The femoral nerve can be accessed in the femoral triangle. What would be purpose of this?
- Anaesthetised with LA - ‘nerve block’
- Femoral nerve innervates anterior thigh muscles, skin of anterior thigh and a branch called the saphenous nerve innervates the skin of the medial aspect of the leg and foot
How do the medial thigh muscles act?
Adduct the hip joint
What are the muscles of the medial thigh innervated by?
Obturator nerve (L2-4)
What is the only muscle of the medial thigh that weakly flexes the knee too?
Gracilis
What are the muscles of the medial thigh?
Adductor group:
- Adductor longus
- Adductor brevis
- Adductor magnus
Others:
- Obturator externus
- Gracilis
- (Pectineus)
- N.B. this is generally considered an anterior thigh muscle that mainly flexes the hip but also contributes to adduction, innervated by the femoral nerve
Attachments of adductor brevis?
Originates from the body of pubis and inferior pubic rami. It attaches to the linea aspera on the posterior surface of the femur, proximal to the adductor longus.

Attachments of adductor longus?
Originates from the pubis, and expands into a fan shape, attaching broadly to the linea aspera of the femur

Label

Green - pectineus
Blue - adductor brevis
Pink - adductor longus
Purple - gracilis
Attachments of gracilis?
It originates from the inferior rami of the pubis, and the body of the pubis. Descending almost vertically down the leg, it attaches to the medial surface of the tibia, between the tendons of the sartorius (anteriorly) and the semitendinosus (posteriorly).
What muscles of the medial thigh are more superficial? Which are deeper?
More superficial:
- Adductor longus
- Adductor brevis
- Pectineus
- Gracilis
Deeper:
- Adductor magnus
- Obturator externus
What are the 2 parts of adductor magnus?
- Adductor part
- Hamstring part

What are the attachments of the adductor part of adductor magnus?
Origin: inferior pubic ramus
Inserts: linea aspera of the femur and the gluteal tuberosity

What is the innervation of the adductor part of adductor magnus?
Obturator nerve
What are the attachments of the hamstring part of the adductor magnus?
Origin: ischial tuberosity
Inserts: adductor tubercle

Innervation of the hamstring part of the adductor magnus?
Tibial nerve (adductor magnus has a dual innervation)
Action of adductor magnus?
Both parts adduct the thigh. The adductor component also flexes the thigh, with the hamstring portion extending the thigh.
What is the adductor hiatus?
Passage way through for femoral artery and vein into popliteal fossa –> can pass behind knee

What are the attachments of the obturator externus?
Origin: margins of obturator foramen and obturator membrane
Inserts: trochanteric fossa

Action of obturator externus?
Adduction and lateral rotation of the thigh.
What are the spinal roots of the obturator nerve?
L2-L4
What is the nerve of the medial thigh; muscles and skin?
Obturator nerve
Where does the obturator nerve arise? How does it exit?
Arises in the pelvis and exits via the obturator foramen
Inside the pelvis, where does the obturator nerve lie?
Location along the lateral wall of pelvis means it can be compressed by pelvic / ovarian masses
If the obturator nerve is compressed in the pelvis, what is this associated with?
Signs and symptoms in the medial compartment of the leg
What muscles are highlighted?

Purple - pectineus
Blue - adductor longus
Orange - gracilis
What is highlighted?

Purple - pectineus (this has been removed)
Green - obturator externus
Blue - adductor brevis (adductor longus has been removed)
Pink - adductor magnus
Orange - gracilis
Black - obturator nerve
What are the muscles of the posterior thigh known as?
the hamstrings
What is the action of the hamstrings?
Extend the hip and flex the knee
What are the hamstrings innervated by?
Tibial nerve of the sciatic nerve
What are the 3 hamstring muscles?
- Semimembranosus
- Semitendinosus
- Biceps femoris: long head
N.B. the hamstring part of adductor magnus can also extend hip but does not act on the knee
Where do the hamstrings arise from?
Ischial tuberosity
Attachments of semimembranosus?
Ischial tuberosity –> posterior aspect of medial tibial condyle

Attachments of semitendinosus?
Ischial tuberosity –> medial aspect of superior tibia

Attachments of biceps femoris long head and short head?
Long head: Ischial tuberosity –> fibular head
Short head: linea aspera –> fibular head

Action of biceps femoris long head and short head?
Long head: flexes knee and extends hip
Short head: flexes knee but doesn’t extend hip
Innervation of biceps femoris long head and short head?
Long head: innervated by the tibial part of the sciatic nerve
Short head: innervated by the common fibular part of the sciatic nerve.
Label

Teal - semimembranosus
Purple - semitendinosus
Blue - biceps long head and short head
Pink - piriformis
Yellow - sciatic nerve
Yellow circle - popliteal fossa
What vessels supply the muscles of the posterior compartment of the thigh?
Perforating branches from profunda femoris
What is the popliteal fossa?
Diamond shaped fossa behind the knee

What are the boundaries of the popliteal fossa?
Superomedially: Semimembranosus (teal), semitendinosus (purple)
Superolaterally: Biceps femoris (blue)
Inferior: 2 heads of gastrocnemius (calf muscle)

How do the femoral artery and vein enter the popliteal fossa? What do they then become?
Enter via the adductor hiatus –> become the popliteal vessels (they are palpable here)

What nerve runs through the popliteal fossa?
The tibial nerve - runs directly through and into the posterior aspect of the leg
What are the 2 terminal branches of the sciatic nerve?
Tibial nerve and common fibular nerve
Where does the sciatic nerve bifurcate?
Somehwere in posterior aspect of leg (around popliteal fossa)
where does the common fibular nerve run?
Along lateral border of biceps femoris/popliteal fossa

What are the motor functions of the tibial nerve?
the muscles of the posterior leg (calf muscles), and some of the intrinsic muscles of the foot
What are the motor functions of the common fibular nerve?
the muscles of the anterior leg, lateral leg, and the remaining intrinsic foot muscles
What muscle is responsible for rotation at the knee?
Popliteus

How does rotation at the knee occur?
- As joint approaches full extension, femur undergoes a few degrees of medial rotation on the tibia
- This is called ‘locking’ the knee
- Very stable position therefore thigh muscles can relax
- The knee is ‘unlocked’ by the popliteus muscle which laterally rotates the femur (reverses medial rotation)

Where is popliteus located?
The popliteus is located superiorly in the leg. It lies behind the knee joint, forming the base of the popliteal fossa.

What artery supplies the thigh?
- Femoral artery –> mainly the profunda femoris
- Profunda femoris gives off perforating branches that travel through apertures in adductor magnus to supply the posterior thigh

Describe the blood supply to the knee
Anastomoses around the knee formed by branches from the femoral, popliteal and posterior tibial arteries

Normal knee xray AP
Pink - patella
Yellow - tibial plateaus

Normal knee xray lateral

How would you describe this injury? The patient is 20 years old – what does this tell you about the possible mechanism of injury?

- Segmental fracture
- Likely to be high level of trauma involved due to young age
- Patient likely to have considerable blood loss or haemorrhage
- Potential damage to nerves and vessels in the thigh
- Other injures; pelvic? head? hip? lungs?
This 67 year old was hit by a car. Can you see any abnormality here?

- Lateral tibial condyle injury

What’s happened here? More common in females – why?

- Patellar disclocation
- More common in females because women tend to have wider hips, causing the femurs to slant inward and join the knee at more of an angle

What are the dangers of abnormal alignment at the knee joint?
Excessive wear and tear –> osteoarthritis

What is genu varum?
Genu varum, is a varus deformity marked by (outward) bowing at the knee, which means that the lower leg is angled inward in relation to the thigh’s axis, giving the limb overall the appearance of an archer’s bow.
Tibia is adducted with respect to the femur

What is genu valgum? How is the tibia in respect to the femur?
Genu valgum, commonly called “knock-knee”, is a condition in which the knees angle in and touch each other when the legs are straightened.
The tibia is abducted with respect to the femur

How many bursae are found in the knee? What is their function?
4 - A bursa is synovial fluid filled sac, found between moving structures in a joint with the aim of reducing wear and tear on those structures.
What are the 4 bursae of the knee?
- Prepatellar bursa
- Deep and superficial infrapatellar bursa
- Suprapatellar bursa
- Semimembranosus bursa
What can cause bursitis in the knee? What are the 2 main types?
-
Prepatellar bursitis
- Friction between the skin and the patella
- Cause the prepatellar bursa to become inflamed, producing a swelling on the anterior side of the knee.
- Friction between the skin and the patella
- Suprapatellar bursitis

Meniscal tears are another form of injury that can occur at the knee. What can these result from?
From injury or degenerative changes

What are the dangers of meniscal tears?
- Damage is associated with development of osteoarthritis
- Displaced cartilage can become trapped during knee movements – pain or locking
What is the treatment for meniscal tears?
Repair or resection
What is the ‘unhappy triad’?
A combined knee injury affecting the:
- Medial meniscus
- Medial/tibial collateral ligament
- ACL
how does the ‘unhappy triad’ occur?
Excessive lateral twisting of the flexed knee or blow to lateral side of extended knee –> commonly seen in sports like football
What causes all 3 aspects of the ‘unhappy triad’ to be affected?
As the medial collateral ligament is attached to the medial meniscus, damage to either can affect both structure’s functions. A lateral force to an extended knee, such as a rugby tackle, can rupture the medial collateral ligament, damaging the medial meniscus in the process. The ACL is also affected, which completes the ‘unhappy triad’.

What is being pointed to? What is this an attachment site for?

AIIS - rectus femoris
Which quadriceps muscle attaches to the greater trochanter?
Vastus lateralis
What muscle attaches to the lesser trochanter?
Iliopsoas
Where does vastus medialis take origin from?
The medial aspect of the intertrochanteric line

Posterior aspect of proximal end of femur

What bony ridge is being pointed to?

Gluteal tuberosity
What ridge of bone is being pointed to? What muscle does it provide attachment for?

Pectineal line (just inferior to the lesser trochanter) - insertion point of pectineus
What is being pointed to?

Medial and lateral lips of the linea aspera
What is being pointed to?

Adductor tubercle - a tubercle on the lower extremity of the femur that provides attachment for part of adductor magnus
What is being pointed to? What does this surface articulate with?

Surface that articulates with the patella
What is being pointed to? (anterior view of tibia)

Condyle (medial and lateral)
What is being pointed to?

Tibial plateaus
What is being pointed to?

Intercondylar eminence - between the articular facets on the superior articular facet of the tibia, but nearer the posterior than the anterior aspect of the bone
What is being pointed to? What is this an important attachment site for?

Tibial tuberosity - important attachment for quadriceps muscles
What is being pointed to here? (posterior view of tibia). What is this an attachment site for?

Soleal line - an oblique line visible on the posterior surface of the tibia. Attachment site for soleus muscle (calf muscle)
Labelled diagram of fibula

Articulations of the knee joint in extension?
- Posterior surface of patella articulates with the patella surface on the femur
- Flattened tibial plateaus articulate with femoral condyles

Why is the knee less stable in flexion?
- Smaller area of femoral condyle is in contact with the tibia
- Less stable

What has happened here?

Fracture towards distal end of femur that has been left to heal on its own - bones now don’t align though as bone healing caused an anterior displacement of distal part and overlapping of bone fragments.
One leg likely to be shorter than other –> limp –> potential early arthritis
What has happened here?

Fracture that been allowed to heal alone –> posterior displacement of distal end of femur
What are the 3 main stages of bone healing?
- Inflammation
- Bone production
- Bone remodelling
Describe the inflammation process during bone healing
- When the bone is fractured there is bleeding into the area –> haematoma
- This leads to inflammation and clotting of blood at the fracture site
- This provides the initial structural stability and framework for producing new bone
Describe the bone production phase in bone healing
Bone production begins when the clotted blood formed by inflammation is replaced with fibrous tissue and cartilage (known as “soft callus”). As healing progresses, the soft callus is replaced with hard bone (known as “hard callus”), which is visible on x-rays several weeks after the fracture.
Describe the bone remodelling phase of bone healing
In remodeling, bone continues to form and becomes compact, returning to its original shape. In addition, blood circulation in the area improves. Once adequate bone healing has occurred, weightbearing (such as standing or walking) encourages bone remodeling.
How can low levels of vitamin D affect your bones?
Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body - helps your body effectively absorb these nutrients
Where does the femoral nerve emerge?
Between iliacus and psoas major
What muscle is being pointed to?

Tensor fascia lata - inserts onto the iliotibial tract
What is being pointed to? Where does it insert? What is its function?

Iliotibial tract. Inserts on the medial aspect of the tibia and helps to stabilise the knee.
What muscle of the anterior compartmen is attached to the ASIS? Where does this muscle insert?
Sartorius - attaches to the medial aspect of the tibia

What muscle is being pointed to? What is its proximal attachment?

Rectus femoris - AIIS
What is being pointed to?

Vastus lateralis
Where do all the quadriceps muscles converge onto?
Onto the quadriceps tendon (common tendon)
What vessels are being pointed to?

External iliac artery and vein
What muscle is being pointed?

Iliopsoas
What muscle is being pointed to?

Iliacus (in iliac fossa)
What nerve is being pointed to?

Femoral nerve (between iliacus and psoas major)
What muscle is being pointed to? What are its attachments?

Superior pubic ramus –> pectineal line (posterior femur just inferior to the lesser trochanter)
What do iliopsoas and pectineus form?
The floor of the femoral triangle

What is being pointed to?

Quadriceps tendon - this travels over the patella and then a patella tendon runs from the patella to the tibial tuberosity
Where does the patellar tendon lie between?
Patella and tibial tuberosity
What tendon is tapped in the knee jerk reaction?
Patellar tendon
Where can the femoral nerve, artery and vein be accessed?
In the femoral triangle
What is being pointed to?

Tensor fascia lata
What is being pointed to?

Iliotibial tract
What is the preferred site for a central line? Why might the femoral vein be used instead?
- Jugular vein is preferred for a central line
- If jugular vein is not able to be accessed (i.e. neck wound) then femoral vein can be used for temporary emergency access
What vein is being pointed to? What does it drain?

Great saphenous vein - this is an important tributary of the femoral vein that drains the medial side of the foot and the medial aspect of the leg
Where does the great saphenous vein drain into the femoral vein?
In the femoral triangle
Where can the femoral pulse be palpated?
Just inferior to where the femoral artery crosses the inguinal ligament, it can be palpated to measure the femoral pulse. The femoral artery crosses exactly midway between the pubic symphysis and anterior superior iliac spine (known as the mid-inguinal point).
When would the femoral nerve need to be blocked?
Nerve block to the leg –> LA
What are the 3 boundaries
- Inguinal ligament
- Sartorius
- Adductor longus
What forms the floor of the femoral triangle?
Iliospsoas and pectineus
What vessel is being pointed to?

Femoral artery
What is the major arterial supply of the thigh?
Profunda femoris
What is the only medial compartment muscle that crosses the knee?
Gracilis
What muscle has the green string?

Adductor longus
Where does adductor brevis lie?
Deep to adductor longus

Where does adductor brevis insert? How does this compare to the insertion of adductor longus?
Adductor brevis inserts on upper 1/3 of linea aspera. Adductor longus inserts on middle 1/3 of linea aspera.
What is the medial most muscle of the thigh?
Gracilis
What are the actions of gracilis?
Flexes the knee and adduction of hip
What muscle is being pointed to?

Adductor magnus
What nerve is being pointed to?

Obturator nerve - passing through obturator canal
What muscle is highlighted?

Obturator externus - inserts on the trochanteric fossa