Lower Limb: Knee and Leg Region – Review Flashcards

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering osteology, articulations, ligaments, muscles, vasculature, innervation, biomechanics, and clinically relevant points of the knee and leg region.

Which four bones are involved in the knee-leg region anatomy?

Femur, Tibia, Patella, and Fibula.

Name the three primary articulations at the knee region.

Tibiofemoral joint, Patellofemoral joint, and Superior (proximal) Tibiofibular joint.

What sits between the femoral condyles and tibial plateau to act as shock absorbers?

The medial and lateral menisci.

How do the shapes of the medial and lateral menisci differ?

Medial meniscus is C-shaped; lateral meniscus is O-shaped.

Which meniscus is attached to the deep fibers of the MCL and semimembranosus tendon?

The medial meniscus.

Which meniscus has no direct capsular or muscular attachments?

The lateral meniscus.

Which zone of the meniscus has the best blood supply and therefore better healing potential?

The outermost (peripheral) vascular zone.

What two motions occur primarily at the tibiofemoral joint?

Flexion/extension and internal/external rotation.

The patellofemoral joint is an articulation between which structures?

The posterior patellar facets and the femoral trochlear groove.

What is the largest sesamoid bone in the human body?

The patella.

Where does the patellar tendon attach on the tibia?

At the tibial tubercle.

Which nerve wraps around the fibular neck, making it vulnerable to injury?

The common fibular (peroneal) nerve.

Which ligament resists varus (adduction) stress at the knee?

The Lateral (Fibular) Collateral Ligament (LCL).

Where does the LCL originate and insert?

Originates on the lateral femoral epicondyle and inserts on the head of the fibula.

Which knee ligament has superficial and deep layers and resists valgus (abduction) stress?

The Medial (Tibial) Collateral Ligament (MCL).

Which newly ‘re-described’ ligament helps control tibial internal rotation and is often associated with Segond fractures?

The Anterolateral Ligament (ALL).

What structure is a continuation of semimembranosus that reinforces the posterior capsule?

The Oblique Popliteal Ligament.

Which two-band ligament arising from the fibular head contributes to posterolateral rotatory stability?

The Arcuate Popliteal Ligament.

Primary biomechanical role of the ACL?

Restrains anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur.

The posterior cruciate ligament attaches where on the tibia?

Posterior-lateral tibial plateau (tibial spine).

Main function of the PCL?

Restrains posterior translation of the tibia, especially in knee flexion.

Name the three tendons that insert at the pes anserinus.

Sartorius, Gracilis, and Semitendinosus.

Which small anterior thigh muscle pulls the suprapatellar bursa superiorly during knee extension?

Articularis Genu.

Origin and action of popliteus muscle?

Origin: lateral femoral condyle & lateral meniscus; Action: weak knee flexion and ‘unlocks’ knee by externally rotating femur (CKC) or internally rotating tibia (OKC).

Which two heads form gastrocnemius and on which femoral condyles do they originate?

Medial head from posterior medial condyle; lateral head from posterior lateral condyle.

What is the primary nerve supply to the posterior compartment of the leg (both superficial and deep)?

Tibial nerve.

Which artery becomes the popliteal artery after passing through the adductor hiatus?

The femoral artery.

List the genicular branches of the popliteal artery important in knee anastomosis.

Superior medial, superior lateral, inferior medial, inferior lateral, and middle genicular arteries.

Which artery supplies the anterior compartment of the leg?

The anterior tibial artery.

Which nerve innervates all anterior compartment leg muscles?

Deep fibular (peroneal) nerve.

Name the four muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg.

Tibialis anterior, Extensor hallucis longus, Extensor digitorum longus, and Fibularis (peroneus) tertius.

Primary actions of tibialis anterior?

Dorsiflexion of the ankle and inversion of the foot.

Which fibularis muscle is the only one that dorsiflexes the ankle?

Fibularis (Peroneus) tertius.

The lateral compartment contains which two muscles?

Fibularis (Peroneus) longus and Fibularis brevis.

Innervation of the lateral compartment muscles?

Superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve.

Blood supply to the lateral compartment is provided by branches of which artery?

Perforating branches of the fibular (peroneal) artery.

Which three muscles form the triceps surae?

Gastrocnemius (medial & lateral heads) and Soleus.

Main action of soleus when the knee is flexed?

Primary plantar flexion of the ankle.

Which small posterior leg muscle may be absent and is a weak plantar- and knee-flexor?

Plantaris.

List the four muscles in the deep posterior compartment of the leg.

Popliteus, Tibialis posterior, Flexor digitorum longus, Flexor hallucis longus.

Primary action of tibialis posterior.

Inversion of the foot and plantarflexion of the ankle; supports medial arch.

What mnemonic describes the order of structures in the tarsal tunnel from anterior to posterior?

Tom Dick VAN Harry – Tibialis posterior, Flexor digitorum longus, posterior tibial Vein, posterior tibial Artery, tibial Nerve, Flexor hallucis longus.

What is the large medial projection of the distal tibia that forms part of the ankle mortise?

The medial malleolus.

Which ligament stabilizes the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis from the lateral tibial surface?

Anterior tibiofibular ligament.

What is the flattened distal projection of the fibula called?

The lateral malleolus.

Which compartment syndrome is most common in the leg: anterior, lateral, deep posterior, or superficial posterior?

Anterior compartment syndrome.

Which nerve is most at risk during a fibular (peroneal) neck fracture?

Common fibular (peroneal) nerve.

Which ligament connects the anterior edges of the two menisci?

The transverse ligament of the knee.

Describe the boundaries of the anterior leg compartment.

Medial: tibia; Lateral: anterior intermuscular septum; Anterior: crural fascia; Posterior: interosseous membrane.

Which dermatomal level supplies sensation to the medial malleolus?

Dermatome L4.

Which peripheral nerve provides cutaneous sensation to the web space between the first and second toes?

Deep fibular (peroneal) nerve.

Difference between a dermatome and a peripheral cutaneous nerve field?

Dermatome is skin supplied by a single spinal nerve root; cutaneous nerve field is skin supplied by a named peripheral nerve that may contain fibers from multiple roots.

Which artery supplies most of the deep posterior compartment of the leg?

Posterior tibial artery.

The fibular (peroneal) artery is a branch of which larger artery?

Posterior tibial artery.

What percentage of body weight is typically borne through the fibula?

About 5%.

Which structure deepens the knee joint for stability and absorbs shock but heals poorly due to limited vascularity?

The menisci.

Which compartment of the leg has no major named artery traveling within it?

The lateral compartment.

Which nerve roots primarily facilitate ankle dorsiflexion according to segmental innervation charts?

L4–L5.

Which posterior leg muscle supports the medial longitudinal arch and is crucial in posterior tibial tendon dysfunction?

Tibialis posterior.

What two structures form the talocrural (ankle) joint along with the talus?

The distal tibia (including its medial malleolus) and the distal fibula (lateral malleolus).

What is the chief restraint to posterior tibial translation when the knee is flexed beyond 90°?

The Posterior Cruciate Ligament.

Why is the LCL distinct from the joint capsule whereas the MCL is capsular?

LCL is extra-capsular and separated by fat, allowing more lateral mobility; MCL blends with the joint capsule and medial meniscus for medial stability.

Which nerve provides motor supply to the intrinsic foot muscles after passing through the tarsal tunnel?

The tibial nerve (dividing into medial and lateral plantar nerves).