Anatomy of Lower Limb

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Questions and Answers

Which muscle is primarily responsible for stabilizing the ankle joint?

Popliteus

Soleus (correct)

Plantaris

Gastrocnemius

What is the main action of the gastrocnemius muscle?

Eversion of the foot

Dorsiflexion of the ankle

Flexion of the hip

Plantarflexion of the ankle when the knee is extended (correct)

Which nerve innervates the muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg?

Tibial nerve (correct)

Fibular nerve

Inferior gluteal nerve

Sural nerve

Which of the following muscles assists the gastrocnemius in plantarflexing the ankle joint?

Plantaris Signup and view all the answers

Which of these muscles is part of the deep group of the posterior compartment?

Flexor hallucis longus Signup and view all the answers

Which anatomical landmark is located at the superior part of the iliac bone?

Iliac crest Signup and view all the answers

What structure acts as a primary weight transmission point from the foot to the axial skeleton?

Tibia Signup and view all the answers

Which region is associated with the muscles primarily responsible for hip extension?

Gluteal region Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of the femoral region?

Houses the greater trochanter Signup and view all the answers

Which joint is primarily responsible for allowing dorsiflexion and plantarflexion?

Ankle joint Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following muscles is NOT found in the gluteal region?

Sartorius Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the lateral and medial malleolus?

Formation of the ankle joint Signup and view all the answers

Which landmark is found at the distal end of the tibia?

Medial malleolus Signup and view all the answers

How is weight transmitted from the foot to the axial skeleton?

Through the vertebral column and directed laterally by bony arches Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the neck of the femur in weight transmission?

It maintains a diagonal disposition to recenter support directly under the trunk. Signup and view all the answers

Which muscular action is primarily associated with the anterior compartment of the thigh?

Extending the knee Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve innervates the muscles of the medial compartment of the thigh?

Obturator nerve Signup and view all the answers

What are the components of the sciatic nerve?

Common peroneal and tibial components Signup and view all the answers

What role do the pubic rami play in weight transmission?

They act as 'struts' or braces to maintain the bony arch. Signup and view all the answers

What is the angle range for the neck-shaft of the femur?

120° to 140° Signup and view all the answers

Which structure does the iliotibial tract primarily interact with?

Lateral muscles of the thigh Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of the iliopsoas muscle?

Hip flexion Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle primarily extends the leg at the knee joint?

Rectus femoris Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve innervates the quadriceps femoris muscle?

Femoral nerve Signup and view all the answers

Which muscles are primarily responsible for flexing the knee joint?

Quadriceps and Hamstrings Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the popliteus muscle?

Unlocks the knee joint Signup and view all the answers

What is the action of the adductor magnus muscle?

Adducts and extends the hip joint Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the hip joint?

Synovial joint, ball and socket type Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions does the sartorius muscle perform?

Flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates the hip joint Signup and view all the answers

What muscle is primarily involved in hip flexion and also assists in stabilizing the hip joint?

Iliacus Signup and view all the answers

What action does the tibialis posterior muscle perform?

Plantarflexes the ankle and inverts the foot Signup and view all the answers

Which ligaments provide support to the knee joint?

Medial and lateral collateral ligaments Signup and view all the answers

Which action is associated with the medial/adductor compartment muscles?

Adduction of the hip joint Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following muscles does NOT adduct the hip joint?

Sartorius Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the adductor magnus assists in flexing the hip joint?

Adductor part Signup and view all the answers

What is the action of the obturator externus muscle?

Laterally rotates the hip joint Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of the Lower Limb

Structural organization includes six major regions: gluteal, femoral, knee, leg, ankle, and foot regions.
Key anatomical landmarks are essential for identification and understanding of the lower limb.

Key Anatomical Landmarks

Iliac crest and posterior superior/inferior iliac spines are crucial references.
Greater trochanter of femur and patella are significant landmarks.
Condyles of femur connect with the tibia at the knee joint.
Medial and lateral malleoli are important for ankle stability.
Tibial tuberosity and calcaneal tuberosity are notable for muscle attachments.

Weight Transmission in the Lower Limb

Weight is transmitted centrally through the vertebral column and laterally via bony arches formed by the sacrum and ilia.
Pubic rami act as braces to maintain the arch during weight transmission.
The neck of the femur, being the narrowest and weakest part of the bone, plays a critical role in bipedal support.

Fascial Compartments and Muscle Innervation

Thigh has three compartments: anterior, medial, and posterior, each with distinct muscles and nerve innervation.
Anterior compartment (innervated by femoral nerve) contains hip flexors and knee extensors.
Medial compartment (innervated by obturator nerve) includes hip adductors.
Posterior compartment (innervated by sciatic nerve) consists of hip extensors and knee flexors.

Anterior Compartment of Thigh

Major muscles: Sartorius (flexes and abducts hip, flexes knee), Iliopsoas (flexes thigh), Quadriceps femoris (extends knee).
Key function involves extension of the knee and flexion of the hip.

Medial Compartment of Thigh

Major muscles include adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, and gracilis.
Primary actions involve hip adduction and some degree of hip flexion or rotation.

Posterior Compartment of Leg

Composed of both superficial (gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris) and deep (popliteus, flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, tibialis posterior) muscles.
Major action: plantarflexion of the ankle joint, with significant roles in stability and locomotion.

Joints of the Lower Limb

Hip Joint: Synovial, ball-and-socket type allowing multiaxial movement; supported by iliofemoral, pubofemoral, and ischiofemoral ligaments.
Knee Joint: Modified hinge type; involves medial and lateral condyles of the femur and tibia; mechanically weak but supported by quadriceps and hamstring muscles; protected by collateral ligaments.
Ankle Joint: Functions to allow dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.
Subtalar Joint: Enables inversion and eversion of the foot.

Summary of Functions and Interactions

Muscles of the lower limb are intricately involved in movement, balance, and stability during various activities.
Understanding muscle actions, innervation, and joint mechanics is essential for clinical correlations and anatomical studies.

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Description

This quiz explores the structural organization of the lower limb, including its functional and clinical correlations. It is designed to enhance your understanding of anatomy related to lower limb structures. Engage with the material to grasp the key anatomical concepts presented by Dr. Teresa Joy.