Anterior and Medial Compartment of the Thigh

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering regional anatomy, muscles, nerves, vessels, fasciae, and clinical notes related to the anterior and medial compartments of the thigh, based on the provided lecture notes.

Os Coxa

Hip bone formed by fusion of ilium, ischium, and pubis; joined by triradiate cartilage; fusion completes by ~20–25 years.

Ilium

Upper, wing-like part of the os coxa; contributes to acetabulum and muscle attachments.

Ischium

Posterior-inferior part of the os coxa; contains ischial tuberosity.

Pubis

Anterior portion of the os coxa; contains the pubic tubercle.

Acetabulum

Socket in the pelvis that articulates with the head of the femur.

ASIS

Anterior Superior Iliac Spine; landmark for muscle attachments and inguinal region.

AIIS

Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine; serves as attachment for rectus femoris.

Pubic Tubercle

Prominent anterior landmark on the pubis; attachment for the inguinal ligament.

Triradiate Cartilage

Cartilage where the ilium, ischium, and pubis fuse in the immature pelvis.

Greater Trochanter

Prominent lateral projection of the femur for muscle attachment.

Lesser Trochanter

Medial-inferior projection of the femur; attachment for iliopsoas.

Femur

Thigh bone; transmits body weight from hip to knee.

Patella

Kneecap; sesamoid bone enhancing knee extension mechanics.

Tibia

Shinbone; main weight-bearing bone of the leg.

Fibula

Calf bone; located laterally, non-weight-bearing.

Q Angle

Quadriceps angle; angle between the quadriceps line of pull and the patellar tendon.

Dorsiflexion

Ankle movement bringing the dorsum of the foot toward the shin.

Plantarflexion

Ankle movement pointing the foot downward.

Inversion

Foot turns inward, sole faces medially.

Eversion

Foot turns outward, sole faces laterally.

Fascia Lata

Deep fascia enveloping the thigh; forms compartments and contributes to the iliotibial tract.

Iliotibial Tract (IT Band)

Thick band of fascia on the lateral thigh from iliac crest to tibia.

Crural Fascia

Deep fascia of the leg surrounding leg compartments.

Saphenous Opening

An opening in the fascia lata near the inguinal region for vessels (great saphenous vein) to pass.

Great Saphenous Vein

Long superficial vein on the medial leg and thigh; drains into femoral vein via saphenous opening.

Saphenous Nerve

Cutaneous branch of femoral nerve; supplies medial leg and foot skin.

Femoral Artery

Main artery of the thigh; continuation of the external iliac artery.

Deep (Profunda) Femoris Artery

Major deep branch of femoral artery supplying thigh muscles.

Medial Circumflex Femoral Artery

Supply to the hip region and femoral head; branches wrap around the femur.

Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery

Artery supplying lateral thigh; has ascending, transverse, and descending branches.

Obturator Artery

Artery from internal iliac that supplies medial thigh muscles.

Popliteal Artery

Continuation of femoral artery behind the knee; supplies leg.

Anterior Tibial Artery

Branch of popliteal artery; runs in the anterior compartment of the leg.

Posterior Tibial Artery

Branch of popliteal artery; runs in the posterior leg toward the foot.

Fibular (Peroneal) Artery

Branch of posterior tibial that supplies the lateral compartment of leg.

Dorsalis Pedis Artery

Anterior continuation of the tibial artery on the dorsum of the foot.

Medial Plantar Artery

Branch of posterior tibial artery supplying the medial plantar region of the foot.

Lateral Plantar Artery

Branch of posterior tibial artery supplying the lateral plantar region.

Femoral Nerve

Lumbosacral plexus nerve (L2–L4) supplying anterior thigh muscles.

Obturator Nerve

Lumbosacral plexus nerve (L2–L4) supplying medial thigh muscles.

Lumbosacral Plexus

Network of nerves (L2–S3) giving rise to major lower limb nerves.

Superior Gluteal Nerve

Nerve from the sacral plexus supplying gluteal muscles.

Inferior Gluteal Nerve

Nerve supplying gluteus maximus and other gluteal muscles.

Sciatic Nerve

Main nerve of the posterior thigh; divides into tibial and common fibular nerves.

Tibial Nerve

Branch of sciatic; supplies posterior compartment of the leg.

Common Fibular Nerve

Branch of sciatic; supplies lateral compartment of leg and dorsum of foot.

Obturator Externus

Lateral rotator of the thigh when weight-bearing is not present.

Sartorius

Long strap-like muscle; flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates thigh; inserts at pes anserinus.

Iliopsoas

Prime hip flexor formed by iliacus and psoas major; inserts at lesser trochanter.

Psoas Major

Hip flexor from lumbar vertebrae; part of the iliopsoas complex.

Iliacus

Hip flexor from iliac fossa; part of the iliopsoas complex.

Pectineus

Flexes and adducts the thigh; may be innervated by femoral and/or obturator nerves.

Adductor Longus

Medial thigh muscle; flexes and adducts the thigh.

Adductor Brevis

Short adductor of the thigh; flexes and adducts the thigh.

Adductor Magnus (adductor head; hamstring head)

Large thigh adductor with two heads; adductor head flexes thigh, hamstring head extends thigh.

Gracilis

Medial thigh adductor; assists in flexing and medially rotating the leg.

Obturator Externus

Lateral rotation of the thigh; nerve supply from obturator nerve.

Pes Anserinus

Insertion area on medial tibia where tendons of sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus insert.

Rectus Femoris

Quadriceps muscle; flexes thigh and extends leg; part of quadriceps femoris.

Vastus Lateralis

Lateral quadriceps muscle; extends the leg.

Vastus Medialis

Medial quadriceps muscle; extends the leg and helps patellar tracking.

Vastus Intermedius

Middle quadriceps muscle; extends the leg.

Articularis Genu

Deep fibers of vastus intermedius; elevates synovial membrane during extension.

Quadriceps Femoris

Group of four muscles (rectus femoris, vasti) extending the knee.

Articularis Genu

Small muscle acting to prevent impingement of knee joint capsule during extension.

Bipartite Patella

Patella with two ossification centers; can mimic fracture on imaging.

Chondromalacia Patellae

Degeneration of patellar articular cartilage often causing knee pain.

Extensor Retinacula

Fibrous bands on the ankle/woot responsible for maintaining tendon positions.

Pes Anserinus Insertion

Medial tibial insertion of sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus.

Quadriceps Tendon

Tendon of quadriceps muscles inserting into the patella and via patellar ligament to tibia.

Patellar Ligament

Ligament connecting the patella to the tibial tuberosity; part of the extensor mechanism.

Fracture Patella (Bipartite Patella)

Knee cap fracture pattern vs. bipartite patellar segment.

Adductor Canal (Hunter’s Canal)

Tunnel in the thigh carrying femoral artery, vein, nerve to vastus medialis, and saphenous nerve.

Adductor Canal Contents

Femoral artery, femoral vein, nerve to vastus medialis, saphenous nerve.

Femoral Triangle

Anatomical space bounded by inguinal ligament, adductor longus, sartorius; contains NAVL.

NAVL

Nerve, Artery, Vein, Lymphatics in the femoral triangle.

Femoral Sheath

Fascial sleeve that surrounds femoral artery, vein, and canal; continuation of transversalis fascia.

Femoral Canal

Medial compartment of the femoral sheath; potential space for femoral hernia.

Adductor Hiatus

Opening in the adductor magnus through which the femoral vessels pass to become popliteal vessels.

Meralgia Paresthetica

Pain/paresthesia in the anterolateral thigh due to compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve

Nerve supplying skin of the lateral thigh (L2–L3).

Dermatome Pattern (Barber Pole)

Dermatomal map of the lower limb: L1 at inguinal ligament, L3 medial knee, L4 medial malleolus/big toe, S1 lateral malleolus, S1–S2 posterior leg/thigh/heel.

Cloquet’s Node

Deep inguinal lymph node; final station for lymphatics from superficial and deep structures of the lower limb.

Lymph Drainage: Superficial vs Deep

Superficial nodes (superficial inguinal) and deep inguinal/femoral nodes drain the lower limb; pathways vary.

Gait Phases (Walking)

Sequence of initial contact, loading response, mid stance, terminal stance, pre-swing, and swing phases during gait.

Center of Gravity

Point where body's mass is concentrated; in humans typically ~10 cm below the navel, anterior to S2.

Center of Gravity vs Motion in Gait

Dynamic balance during walking, requiring coordination of limb movements and gravity.

AOI (Angle of Inclination)

Angle of the femoral neck relative to the shaft; influences hip joint mobility and abductors' leverage.

Pes Anserinus Tendons

Tendons of Sartorius, Gracilis, and Semitendinosus that insert on the medial tibia.

Psoas Abscess

Infection within the psoas muscle; presents with hip flexion pain and fever.