Wet Lab 8 - Nerve Supply To The Lower Limb Flashcards
What does plexus mean?
An interweaving
What is the lumbosacral plexus ?
It is an interweaving of neurons from different levels (Segments) of the spinal cord, into final destination nerves that are either motor, sensory or mixed (both sensory and motor)
What does motor neurons do?
They fire muscles
What do sensory neurons do?
They provide information to the CNS from the periphery of the body, usually the skin but from many other specialised organs as well
What is Hilton’s law ?
It is that a nerve which supplies a muscle also supplies the joint the muscle acts across
What are the main features of a typical spinal nerve?
- Anterior (ventral) root which is purely motor (which means it has only motor neurons in it). Cell body of these in the front (ventral) part of the grey horn of the spinal cord (the “H” in this diagram).
- Posterior (dorsal) root which is purely sensory (has only sensory neurons in it). Cellsbodies in the dorsal root ganglion.
- Where these two roots join is the beginning of the mixed spinal nerve. Called mixed because it now has both motor and sensory neurons in it.
How does every nerve of the spinal cord start?
Every nerve at every level of the spinal cord starts the same way
What happens as the limbs grow out from the trunk ?
As the limbs grow out from the trunk, with several levels of nerves in them and for an evolutionary/functional reason, the neurons from the neighbouring segments often mix together and then group into proper nerves
Where does the plexus start ?
At the ventral ramus
Is every nerve in the body paired?
Yes, every nerve in the body is paired - there is a left nerve and right nerve
What is the lumbosacral plexus comprised of?
Lumbar plexus and sacral plexus that are joined by the lumbosacral trunk (L4 and L5)
Where does the full plexus interweave from?
From L1 to L5
What does the lumbosacral trunk cross ?
It crosses the sacral Ala to add the L4 and L5 segments to the sacral plexus
What does the tibial nerve start off as?
As part of the sciatic nerve
What is the sciatic nerve?
It is the tibial nerve and the common Fibular (peroneal) nerve, bound together by fascia
Where do the tibial and common fibular nerves seperate?
In or above the popliteal fossa
Where does the sciatic nerve form and exit ?
It forms within the pelvis and then exists the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen beneath piriformis
Where does the sciatic ten travel between ?
The lateral rotators and the gluteus Maximus about half way between the ischial tuberosity and the greater trochanter
What does the sciatic nerve sen branches to
It continues between the hamstring muscles and adductor Magnus and sends branches to the hamstrings in the posterior thigh and the ex-hamstring part of adductor Magnus
What does the sciatic nerve separated from?
The common fibular nerve
After the sciatic nerve separates, what is it now called?
The tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa
What does the tibial nerve send branches to?
The Plantaris and gastrocnemius, Popliteus and soleus
Where does the tibial nerve run down ?
It runs downward immediately behind the tibia and supplies Tibialis posterior, FDL and FHL
What does the tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa send a branch to?
It sends a branch to what becomes the cutaneous (sensory) sural nerve once another branch off the common fibular nerve joins
Where does the tibial nerve then pass ?
It passes medial to the ankle joint behind the medial malleolus through the tarsal tunnel, where it branches into the calcaneal nerve and then the medial and lateral plantar nerves
What does the calcaneal nerve do?
It provides sensation from the skin of an area over the heel
What are medial and lateral plantar nerves?
They are motor to the plantar intrinsic muscles of the foot as well as sensation from the skin to the sole