Blood Supply and Innervation of the Leg

A set of vocabulary flashcards to help reinforce key terms and concepts related to the blood supply and innervation of the leg.

What type of joints are found beneath the talus?

Synovial joints.

What artery passes through the femoral triangle?

The femoral artery.

After passing through the popliteal fossa, what does the femoral artery become?

The popliteal artery.

What artery supplies the posterior compartment of the leg?

The posterior tibial artery.

Which artery supplies the anterior compartment of the leg?

The anterior tibial artery.

What artery supplies the lateral compartment of the leg?

The fibular artery.

What is the primary nerve that innervates the hamstring muscles?

The sciatic nerve.

Once the sciatic nerve passes through the popliteal fossa, into what two nerves does it divide?

The tibial nerve and the common fibular nerve.

What action does the tibialis anterior muscle perform?

Foot inversion and dorsiflexion.

The deep fibular nerve innervates which compartment of the leg?

The anterior compartment.

What muscles are included in the posterior compartment of the leg?

Gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus.

What are the three functions of the plantar fascia?

Protects deep structures, supports the longitudinal arch, and provides muscular attachment.

What passes through the tarsal tunnel?

Posterior tibial artery, posterior tibial vein, tibial nerve, and tendons of tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, and flexor hallucis longus.

What forms the roof of the tarsal tunnel?

Flexor retinaculum.

Which bones form the floor of the tarsal tunnel?

Talus, calcaneus, and tibia.

What are the contents of the tarsal tunnel?

Tibial artery, nerve and vein. + Tendons (flexor digitorum longus, FHL)