Human Anatomy 1 Cumulative Study Guide

A vocabulary-style study guide covering the anatomy of the gluteal region, thigh, leg, foot, and associated joints and ligaments based on common lecture notes.

Iliac crest

The superior boundary of the gluteal region, located at the level of $L4$.

Posterior sacro-iliac ligament

One of the primary ligaments of the gluteal region connecting the sacrum and ilium.

Superior gluteal nerve

A nerve of the gluteal region that supplies the gluteal muscles.

Coxa vera

A condition caused by an angle of inclination of the femur less than $120$ degrees, resulting in knock knees.

Coxa valga

A condition caused by an angle of inclination of the femur greater than $120$ degrees, resulting in bow legged appearance.

Fascia Lata

The deep fascia of the thigh that attaches to bone, encloses the entire thigh, and separates muscles into three compartments.

Femoral triangle

A region bounded by the inguinal ligament superiorly, the sartorius laterally, and the adductor longus medially.

Pes anserinus

A common insertion site for the gracilis, sartorius, and semitendinosus muscles.

Linea aspera

A bone feature where eight muscles insert, including the vastus medialis, adductor magnus, and gluteus maximus.

Popliteal fossa

A posterior knee region that protects the popliteal artery and vein, and is a site for Baker's cysts.

Tibiofibular syndesmosis

The joint between the tibia and fibula, separated by the interosseous membrane.

Plantar aponeurosis

Thick central fascia of the foot that originates on the calcaneus and divides into five bands to digits.

Hallux

The term for the great toe or the first toe of the foot.

Digiti minimi

The term for the little toe or the fifth toe of the foot.

Quadratus plantae

A second-layer muscle of the sole with two heads that adjusts the pull of the flexor digitorum longus to achieve flexion instead of opposition.

Iliofemoral ligament

The strongest ligament of the hip joint, shaped like a "Y," which prevents hyperextension.

Ischiofemoral ligament

The weakest hip ligament, located posteriorly, which prevents hyperflexion.

Hilton’s law

The principle that the nerves supplying the muscles crossing a joint also act on and supply the joint itself.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

A knee ligament that prevents hyperextension and posterior displacement of the femur on the tibia; it is the most commonly torn ligament.

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

A stronger knee ligament that prevents hyperflexion and anterior displacement of the femur on the tibia.

Unhappy triad

A severe knee injury involving the ACL, MCL, and the medial meniscus.

Screw home mechanism

The external rotation of the tibia by $10$ to $15$ degrees during knee movement.

Mortise

An ankle joint structure formed by the distal tibiofibular joint and the trochlea of the talus.

Subtalar joint

The joint formed by the talus and calcaneus, which is the location of inversion and eversion.

Medial longitudinal arch

The highest arch of the foot with the talus as its keystone, involving the calcaneus, navicular, cuneiforms, and the first three metatarsals.

Lateral longitudinal arch

A flatter foot arch with the cuboid as its keystone, involving the calcaneus, cuboid, and the 4th and 5th metatarsals.

Transverse arch

A foot arch with the intermediate cuneiform as its keystone, supported by the fibularis longus and tibialis posterior tendons.

Spring ligament

Also known as the plantar calcaneal ligament, it extends between the sustentaculum tali and the navicular bone.

Propulsion

The generation of force to push or pull an object, identified as a primary function of the arches of the foot.