Special Areas of the Lower Limb

Vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomical borders, floors, contents, and relationships of the femoral triangle, adductor canal, popliteal fossa, and tarsal tunnel from Anatomy 3300.

Femoral Triangle

A triangular space located in the superoanterior third of the thigh at the junction between the trunk and the lower limb, where the femoral artery pulse can be palpated.

Borders of the Femoral Triangle

Bounded superiorly by the Inguinal Ligament, laterally by the Sartorius muscle, and medially by the Adductor longus muscle.

Floor of the Femoral Triangle

Formed laterally by the Iliopsoas muscle and medially by the Pectineus muscle.

Contents of the Femoral Triangle

Arranged from medial to lateral as the Femoral vein, Femoral artery, and Femoral nerve.

Adductor Canal

A compartment located deep to the sartorius muscle, situated between the quadriceps femoris muscles and the medial femoral muscles.

Contents of the Adductor Canal

Includes the Femoral artery, Femoral vein, and Saphenous nerve.

Popliteal Fossa

A diamond-shaped area in the back of the knee where the popliteal artery pulse is difficult to palpate due to depth.

Borders of the Popliteal Fossa

Superolateral: Biceps femoris m.; Superomedial: Semitendinosus & semimembranosus mm.; Inferolateral: Gastrocnemius, lateral head m.; Inferomedial: Gastrocnemius, medial head m.

Contents of the Popliteal Fossa

Arranged from deep to superficial: Popliteal artery, Popliteal vein, and superficially the Tibial nerve and Common fibular nerve (both at the same superficial level).

Tarsal Tunnel

A passage located posterior to the medial malleolus bound by the flexor retinaculum, beginning at the medial malleolus and ending at the calcaneus (also known as "Tom, Dick, AN, Harry").

Contents of the Tarsal Tunnel

Arranged from medial malleolus to calcaneus: Tendon of tibialis posterior m., Tendon of flexor digitorum longus m., Posterior tibial a., Tibial n., and Tendon of flexor hallucis longus m.