Lower Limb Anatomy: Anterior/Medial Thigh, Gluteal Region, and Posterior Thigh

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering clinical correlations, surface anatomy, bones/ligaments, muscles, innervation, blood supply, venous/lymph drainage, and common clinical conditions of the gluteal region and posterior thigh.

Psoas abscess presents with flexed thigh and severe abdominal pain on hip extension; the test is called the __ sign.

psoas sign

Psoas abscess S&S include lower back pain, fever, psoas spasm, and __.

nausea

Patella avulsion occurs when the quadriceps pull the patella __; the top of the patella avulses off.

Superior

Bipartite patella has two centers of ossification with a poorly fused __.

border

_ pre-dispose patellar tracking issues because the patella is designed to move (superior/inferior), not medially/laterally.

Q angle abnormalities

Chondromalacia patellae is degradation of the articular cartilage of the patella due to lots of physical activity and __.

patellar maltracking

A femoral hernia is a protrusion into the femoral __; the femoral sheath is the border between abdominal contents and outside.

canal

Varicose veins involve the veins; valves not working properly cause pooling.

saphenous

Coronary bypass can use the great vein.

saphenous

Meralgia paresthetica is entrapment of the lateral nerve; tight pants can cause pain/paresthesia.

femoral cutaneous

Femoral nerve lesion causes motor & sensory deficits in the region.

anterior thigh

Obturator nerve lesion causes motor & sensory deficits in the thigh muscles.

medial

Anterior thigh muscles are innervated by the nerve.

femoral

Medial thigh muscles are innervated by the nerve.

obturator

Dermatomes of the gluteal region and posterior thigh span levels .

L4-S5

Bones of the pelvis include the Ox Coxae (ilium, ischium, pubis) and the , which holds weight.

sacrum

The greater sciatic foramen transmits the nerve.

sciatic

The iliotibial tract runs from the hip to the knee and acts as the tendon for the .

tensor fasciae latae

The posterior compartment contains biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, perforating branches of the deep femoral a/v, and the nerve.

sciatic

Gluteus maximus inserts on the gluteal tuberosity and the tract; innervated by the inferior gluteal nerve.

iliotibial

Gluteus medius is innervated by the nerve.

superior gluteal

Gluteus minimus is innervated by the nerve.

superior gluteal

Tensor fascia latae inserts into the tract.

iliotibial

Piriformis is innervated by the nerve to the (ventral rami S1-S2).

piriformis

Gemellus Superior is innervated by the nerve to the (L5-S2).

obturator internus

Obturator internus is innervated by the nerve to the .

obturator internus

Gemellus Inferior is innervated by the nerve to the (L4-S1).

quadratus femoris

Quadratus femoris is innervated by the nerve to the .

quadratus femoris

Gluteus maximus extends thigh and laterally rotates; with the IT band it stabilizes the knee; it is innervated by the nerve.

inferior gluteal

Gluteus medius primarily performs of the thigh.

abduction

Gluteus minimus abducts the thigh and rotation.

medial

Tensor fascia latae abducts, flexes, and helps medially rotate the thigh; inserts into the tract.

iliotibial

Piriformis assists in and lateral rotation of the thigh.

abduction

Gemellus Superior laterally rotates the thigh and assists in thigh .

abduction

Gemellus Inferior and the nerve to quadratus femoris relate to the muscle (L4-S1).

quadratus femoris

Quadratus femoris is innervated by the nerve.

nerve to quadratus femoris

Biceps femoris long head is innervated by the component of the sciatic nerve.

tibial

Biceps femoris short head is innervated by the component of the sciatic nerve.

common fibular

Semimembranosus is innervated by the component of the sciatic nerve.

tibial

Semitendinosus is innervated by the component of the sciatic nerve.

tibial

Cruciate anastomosis of the hip includes medial circumflex femoral, lateral circumflex femoral, inferior gluteal, and the first artery.

perforating

Perforating arteries supply the posterior compartment and anastomose with the inferior gluteal and arteries.

popliteal

Cruciate anastomosis provides blood flow to the head/neck of the femur via the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries, inferior gluteal, and the first artery.

perforating

The superior and inferior gluteal veins drain into the vein.

internal iliac

Perforating veins drain into the deep femoral vein, which drains into the vein.

femoral

Superficial lymphatics drain to the superficial nodes.

inguinal

Deep lymphatics follow deep vessels to the internal/external nodes.

iliac

Superior gluteal nerve innervates gluteus medius, minimus, and tensor fascia latae; its name is the nerve.

superior gluteal

Inferior gluteal nerve innervates the .

gluteus maximus

Sciatic nerve divides into tibial and common fibular branches in the region.

posterior thigh

Nerve to piriformis is derived from the ventral rami of .

S1-S2

Inferior cluneal nerve arises from the ventral rami of .

S2-S3

Intragluteal injections should be given in the quadrant (between the tubercle of the iliac crest and the ASIS).

superolateral

Trendelenburg gait results from lesion of the nerve.

superior gluteal

Gluteus maximus gait/lurch results from lesion of the nerve.

inferior gluteal

Piriformis syndrome occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed by the .

piriformis