Vessels and Nerves of Lower Extremity Flashcards
the aorta divides into R/L ___ at the 5th lumbar vertebra
R/L common iliac arteries
the common iliac divides into external and internal iliac arteries - which supplies the pelvis and gluteal region?
internal iliac artery
which artery becomes the femoral artery after crossing deep to the inguinal ligament to enter the thigh?
external iliac artery
what is the name of the branch of the femoral artery as it enters the thigh?
deep (profunda) femoral
the main femoral continues distally
through what gap does the main femoral artery course posteriorly to the knee?
adductor hiatus of the adductor muscle
after passing through the adductor hiatus, the main femoral artery becomes the ___
popliteal artery
just distal to the knee, the popliteal artery divides into ____ and ____
posterior tibial artery, anterior tibial artery (which passes between fibula and tibia to course anteriorly)
the dorsalis pedis artery is a continuation of which artery of the leg?
anterior tibial artery
dorsal surface of foot is top of foot, what you see when you look down
what artery of the leg continues around medial malleolus onto plantar surface of foot?
posterior tibial artery
what large vein, which does not have an accompanying artery, begins on the medial aspect of the foot, passes anteriorly to the medial malleolus, and drains superficially upwards of the extremity?
great saphenous vein - drainage channel that participates in drainage of lower extremity
which deep vein does the great saphenous vein join in the thigh?
joins the femoral vein up by the head of the femur
which structures make up the popliteal fossa?
diamond-shaped, bound by hamstrings on each side and head of gastrocnemius
within the popliteal fossa, you can feel popliteal pulse
spinal nerves from __ to __ intermingle to form the peripheral nerves of the lower limb
L2 to S3
what are the 5 major nerves of the lower extremities?
femoral (anterior thigh), obturator (medial thigh), sciatic (posterior thigh, leg, foot), superior gluteal (gluteus medius), inferior gluteal (gluteus maximus)
just posterior to the knee the large sciatic nerve divides into ___ and ___
tibial nerve, common peroneal (fibular) nerve
the peroneal/fibular nerve then splits into deep and superficial fibular nerve
what nerve supplies the fibularis longus and brevis?
superficial peroneal (fibular) nerve
what nerve supplies the tibialis anterior?
deep fibular nerve
what does the obturator nerve innervate?
medial thigh (adductor group)
compression of this nerve can cause pain on the lateral thigh, a condition called meralgia paresthetica
lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, a branch of the lumbar plexus
meralgia paresthetica
tingling/numbness caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (branch of lumbar plexus)
the anterior femoral cutaneous nerve supplies the anterior thigh. It is a direct branch of what?
femoral nerve
the femoral artery and vein within the femoral triangle are [superficial/deep]?
superficial - allows for palpitation of femoral pulse
the femoral nerve is composed of the ventral rami of which spinal nerves?
L2-L4
this artery supplies most of the muscles of the thigh
deep femoral artery, aka profunda femoris artery
this artery supplies the lateral thigh and has a branch that ascends superiorly to join the plexus around the greater trochanter. What is?
lateral femoral circumflex artery
(there’s also a medial femoral circumflex artery which supplies the medial thigh and has an ascending branch supplying the head of the femur)
where might an obturator hernia occur? What symptom would it cause?
at the obturator foramen - where the obturator nerve passes from the pelvis into the thigh
obturator hernia would cause weakness in medial thigh
what nerve is the cutaneous terminal branch of the femoral nerve, supplying sensation to the medial leg and as far distantly as the base of the great toe?
saphenous nerve
all muscles of the lateral thigh are innervated by the ____
superior gluteal nerve (also supplies gluteus medias and minimus)
the superior gluteal nerve arises from which spinal nerve segments?
L4, L5, S1
where does the inferior gluteal nerve arise from and what does it supply?
L5 and S1, supplies gluteus maximus
the large sciatic nerve is formed by a union of the ventral rami of which spinal nerves?
L4, L5, S1-S4
the pudendal nerve is formed by union of which spinal nerves?
S2-S4
