Lower Limb – Hip, Thigh, Gluteal & Popliteal Region Review

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering anatomy, innervation, vasculature, biomechanics and clinical correlations for the Hip, Thigh, Gluteal and Popliteal regions.

Which two major regions make up the Hip-Thigh portion of the lower-limb study sequence?

Gluteal region and Femoral (thigh) region

The medial femoral circumflex artery consistently passes between what muscles?

Iliopsoas and pectineus

What three bones fuse to form one hip (os coxae) bone?

Ilium, Ischium, Pubis

Which landmark forms the most superior point of the ilium and serves as a palpable ‘hip bone’?

Iliac crest running from ASIS to PSIS

The ischial _____ is the common origin for the true hamstring muscles.

Tuberosity

What fibrocartilaginous joint unites the bodies of the two pubic bones anteriorly?

Pubic symphysis

Identify the three primary weight-bearing functions of the pelvic girdle.

(1) Bear weight of upper body, (2) Transfer weight from axial to lower appendicular skeleton, (3) Provide muscular attachment for locomotion/posture muscles

Name the strongest posterior ligament of the sacroiliac joint that minimizes SI motion.

Posterior sacroiliac ligament

What is the normal angle of inclination of the femoral neck in adults?

Approximately 126° (normal range 115°–140°)

Coxa vara corresponds to a femoral neck–shaft angle of degrees.

Less than ~105°

Excessive femoral anteversion typically presents clinically with what foot posture?

Toe-in (internal) gait

List the three capsular ligaments that reinforce the hip joint.

Iliofemoral, Pubofemoral, Ischiofemoral ligaments

Which small intra-articular ligament carries the artery to the head of the femur?

Ligament of the head of the femur (ligamentum teres)

The lumbar portion of the lumbosacral plexus is formed by ventral rami of which spinal roots?

L1, L2, L3, and L4

Which nerve supplies motor function to anterior thigh muscles and sensory to anterior thigh and medial leg?

Femoral nerve (L2-L4)

The obturator nerve (L2-L4) generally supplies which thigh compartment?

Medial (adductor) compartment

Name the two terminal components of the sciatic nerve.

Tibial nerve (anterior division) and Common fibular (peroneal) nerve (posterior division)

What are the borders of the femoral triangle?

Superior – inguinal ligament; Lateral – medial border of sartorius; Medial – medial border of adductor longus (floor: iliopsoas & pectineus)

List the contents (lateral → medial) within the femoral sheath.

Femoral artery, Femoral vein, Femoral canal (lymphatics); nerve lies outside sheath

Through which passage do the femoral vessels exit the anterior thigh to become popliteal vessels?

Adductor hiatus

Name the primary arterial supply to the posterior thigh via four perforating branches.

Profunda femoris (deep femoral) artery

Which arterial pair encircle the proximal femur and supply the head/neck?

Medial and Lateral circumflex femoral arteries (medial is dominant to femoral head)

State the three criteria for a muscle to be classified as a true hamstring.

(1) Origin from ischial tuberosity, (2) Cross two joints (hip & knee), (3) Innervated by tibial nerve

Which hamstring muscle is NOT a true hamstring based on innervation?

Short head of biceps femoris (innervated by common fibular nerve)

What action do gluteus medius and minimus perform during single-leg stance?

Abduct and medially rotate thigh, keeping pelvis level (prevent contralateral drop)

Which gluteal muscle is the primary hip extensor and assists in rising from sitting?

Gluteus maximus

The piriformis exits the pelvis through which foramen?

Greater sciatic foramen

Give the boundaries of the popliteal fossa (superolateral, superomedial, inferolateral, inferomedial).

Biceps femoris; Semimembranosus/Semitendinosus; Lateral head of gastrocnemius; Medial head of gastrocnemius

List the main contents of the popliteal fossa (deep to superficial).

Popliteal artery → Popliteal vein → Tibial nerve; plus small saphenous vein termination & common fibular nerve laterally

Which cutaneous nerve supplies the posterolateral leg and foot and is formed by branches of both tibial and common fibular nerves?

Sural nerve

What muscular landmark divides the superior and inferior gluteal vessels and nerves?

Piriformis muscle

The tensor fasciae latae inserts into what thick fascial band and via it stabilizes the knee?

Iliotibial band (tract)

Which anterior thigh muscle is the longest in the body and acts across both hip and knee?

Sartorius

Name the four heads of quadriceps femoris.

Rectus femoris, Vastus lateralis, Vastus medialis, Vastus intermedius

What giant ligament converts the greater and lesser sciatic notches into foramina?

Sacrotuberous and Sacrospinous ligaments

Which artery is variable but typically branches from the internal iliac and supplies the ligamentum teres?

Obturator artery

Which developmental rotation explains why embryonic anterior thigh muscles are located medially in adults?

Medial (pronation) rotation of lower limb buds during development

Define ‘dermatome’.

Cutaneous area supplied by a single spinal nerve root

Name the three muscles inserting into the pes anserinus on the medial tibia.

Sartorius, Gracilis, Semitendinosus

What is the principal action of obturator externus?

Lateral (external) rotation of the thigh

During excessive hip extension, which structure winds tight to draw the femoral head firmly into acetabulum?

Spiraling fibers of the hip joint capsule and iliofemoral ligament

Which vessel becomes the femoral artery after passing under the inguinal ligament?

External iliac artery

The genicular anastomosis around the knee compensates for occlusion of which major artery during full flexion?

Popliteal artery

What muscle attaches to the adductor tubercle of the femur?

Hamstring part of adductor magnus

Name the key functions of the acetabular labrum beyond deepening the socket.

Increases surface area, provides proprioception, seals joint fluid (pressure management)

What is the function of the VMO (vastus medialis oblique) fibers?

Stabilize patella medially and counteract lateral pull during knee extension