Upper Leg Anatomy Flashcards
State the location of the patella
Knee cap located anterior to the knee joint within the patellofemural groove of the femur
State the ligaments connected to patella
Quadriceps tendon attached superior and patellar ligament inferior to patella
What are the functions of patella
Leg extension - enhances the leverage the quadriceps tendon has on the femur
Protection - protects the anterior aspect of the knee joint from trauma
Describe the proximal end of the tibia
Medial and lateral epicondyle with intercondylar tubercules inbetween
Tibial tuberosity located on the anterior side
Describe the anatomy of the tibial shaft
Anterior side - tibial tuberosity
Posterior side - soleal line
Lateral side - interosseous membrane
Describe the anatomy of the distal end of the tibial shaft
Medial malleolus sticks out on medial side
Fibular notch on lateral side
Describe the anatomy of the fibula
There is a head, neck and facet for articulation with tibia on the proximal side
Lateral malleolus on distal side
State the components of the anterior thigh muscles
Iliopsoas, quadriceps femoris, sartorius, pectineus
What is the fascia lata
Deep fascia covering all the musculature of the thigh
Strong, extensible and elasticated stocking
What is the iliotibial tract and what are its functions
Longitudinal thickening of fascia lata and strengthened by gluteus maximus
Extensor, abductor and lateral rotator of the hip, with an additional role in providing lateral stabilisation to the knee joint
Iliopsoas - AFI
Consists of psoas major and iliacus
Attachments - psoas major originates from lumbar vertebrae
Iliacus originates from iliac fossa of pelvis
Both insert into lesser trochanter of femur
Actions - flexes lower limb at hip and assists in lateral rotation at hip
Innervation - psoas major innervated by anterior rami of L1 - L3
Iliacus innervated by femoral nerve
What does the quadriceps femoris contain
Vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, rectus femoris
Vastus lateralis - AFI
Attachments - originates from greater trochanter and inserts into patella through patellar tendon
Actions - extends the knee joint and stabilises the patella
Innervation - femoral nerve
Vastus intermedius - AFI
Attachments - originates from anterior and lateral surfaces of femoral shaft and insert into patella
Actions - extends the knee joint and stabilises the patella
Innervation - femoral nerve
Vastus medialis - AFI
Attachments - originates from intertrochanteric line and medial lip of linea aspera and inserts into patella
Actions - extends the knee joint and stabilises the patella (prevent lateral displacement)
Innervation - femoral nerve
Rectus femoris - AFI
Attachments - originates from ilium and attaches to patella by quadriceps femoris tendon
Actions - flexes leg at the hip joint and extends at the knee joint
Innervation - femoral nerve
Sartorius - AFI
Attachments - originates from anterior superior iliac spine and attaches to superior, medial surface of the tibia
Actions - flexor, abductor and lateral rotator at hip joint
Flexor at knee joint
Innervation - femoral nerve
Pectineus - AFI
Attachments - originates from pectineal line on the anterior surface of pelvis
Attaches to pectineal line on posterior side of femur
Actions - adduction and flexion at the hip joint
Innervation - femoral nerve and obturator nerve
State the medial thigh muscles of the leg
Adductor magnus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, obturator externus, gracilis
Adductor magnus - AFI
Divided into adductor and hamstring part
Attachments - adductor part originates from ischiopubic ramus and inserts to linea aspera of femur
Hamstring part originates form ischial tuberosity and attaches to adductor tubercle and medial supracondylar line of the femur
Actions - both adduct the thigh
Adductor component flexes the thigh, hamstring portion extends the thigh
Innervation - adductor part innervated by obturator nerve, hamstring part innervated by tibial nerve
Adductor longus - AFI
Attachments - originates from pubis, expands into fan shape and attaches to linea aspera of femur
Actions - adduction and medial rotation of thigh
Innervation - obturator nerve
Adductor brevis - AFI
Lies in-between anterior and posterior portions of obturator nerve
Attachments - originates from pubis and inferior pubic rami and attaches to linea aspera of femur
Actions - adduction of thigh
Innervation - obturator nerve