Anatomy Lab Day 3


Clarifications on Notes Submission

  • Clarification made regarding submission of notes for chapter one.

    • Only lower extremity bones need to be submitted for lecture portion.

    • Lab notes are not required for submission.

Overview of the Knee

  • The knee is described as the largest and most complex joint in the body.

  • Key Structures Around the Knee: Six primary structures to identify:

    • Medial and Lateral Meniscus

      • Menisci are pads of tissue positioned between the condyles of the femur and the tibia.

      • Models illustrate lateral meniscus (positioned outside) and medial meniscus (positioned inside).

    • Medial and Lateral Collateral Ligaments

      • Also referred to as tibial and fibular collateral ligaments.

      • Located on either side of the knee, these ligaments stabilize the joint.

    • Cruciate Ligaments

      • Named for their cross formation inside the knee.

      • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) located in the front; Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) at the back.

  • Exam Requirements: Proper terminology must be used; no abbreviations allowed on exams.

  • Anatomical Positioning: Importance of understanding medial vs. lateral.

Muscular System Overview

  • Transition to muscular systems; studying will occur region-by-region.

  • Insights into patient diagnosis based on location of pain.

Gluteal Region Identification

  • Key Muscles in the Gluteal Region:

    • Three Layered Muscles:

      1. Gluteus Maximus - largest muscle forming most of the buttock.

      2. Gluteus Medius - smaller muscle underneath the maximus.

      3. Gluteus Minimus - smallest muscle, found beneath gluteus medius.

    • Landmark Muscle: Piriformis - shaped like a triangle and crucial for orientation in the region.

    • Other Muscles:

      • Superior Gemellus, Obturator Internus, Inferior Gemellus (tiny, closely spaced muscles).

      • Quadratus Femoris, which stands out as the large bottom muscle.

  • Nervous Structures:

    • Superior Gluteal Nerve, Artery, and Vein - structures located above the piriformis.

    • Inferior Gluteal Nerve, Artery, and Vein- located below the piriformis.

    • Sciatic Nerve - largest nerve running down the back of the leg.

Femoral Triangle Identification

  • Boundaries of the Femoral Triangle:

    • Inguinal Ligament (top)

    • Sartorius Muscle (lateral border)

    • Adductor Longus Muscle (medial border)

  • Structures within the Triangle:

    • Femoral Artery, Femoral Vein, Femoral Nerve - need to distinguish between them in exams, following medial to lateral order.

  • Additional Muscles in the Triangle:

    • Pectineus (medial side) and Iliopsoas (lateral side).

Anterior Thigh Muscles

  • The four Quadriceps Muscles:

  1. Rectus Femoris - straight down the front of the thigh, also categorized as a quadricep muscle.

  2. Vastus Lateralis - large muscle on the lateral side of the thigh.

  3. Vastus Medialis - located on the medial side.

  4. Vastus Intermedius - found underneath the Rectus Femoris.

  • Sartorius Muscle - long muscle that runs diagonally across the front of the thigh.

Medial Thigh Muscles

  • Gracilis Muscle: Long muscle running down the inner thigh.

  • Adductor Muscles:

    • Adductor Longus - on the medial side, forms part of the femoral triangle.

    • Adductor Magnus - large muscle located beneath gracilis.

    • Adductor Brevis - situated beneath adductor longus, typically not visible without dissection.

Posterior Thigh - Hamstring Group

  • Four muscles identified here with classification by position:

    • Medial Side:

      • Semimembranosus

      • Semitendinosus

    • Lateral Side:

      • Biceps Femoris (Long Head)

      • Biceps Femoris (Short Head)

Other Key Muscles

  • Tensor Fascia Latae: Located on the upper lateral hip, referred to as the "coffee muscle."

  • Iliotibial Band: A long tendon associated with Tensor Fascia Latae.

Anterior and Lateral Leg Muscles

  • Anterior Compartment: Three key muscles:

    • Tibialis Anterior

    • Extensor Digitorum Longus

    • Extensor Hallucis Longus

  • Lateral Compartment: Two key muscles:

    • Fibularis Longus

    • Fibularis Brevis

Posterior Leg Muscles

  • Layers of muscles in the posterior leg:

    • First Layer:

      • Gastrocnemius (includes medial and lateral heads)

    • Second Layer:

      • Soleus - flat muscle under gastrocnemius.

      • Plantaris - small muscle with a long tendon.

    • Deepest Layer:

      • Posterior Tibialis

      • Flexor Digitorum Longus

      • Flexor Hallucis Longus

Tendon Reference

  • Achilles Tendon, also known as Calcaneal Tendon, is crucial for identifying muscle termination, commonly affected in injuries.