Thigh

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the quadriceps femoris muscle?

Extension of the leg (correct)

Abduction of the thigh

Flexion of the leg

Adduction of the thigh

Which structure is known as the thickened lateral band of the fascia lata?

Gluteal fascia

Lateral femoral intermuscular septum

Iliotibial tract (correct)

Fascia glutea

What are the three compartments of the thigh created by the femoral intermuscular septa?

Lateral, medial, and anterior

Superior, inferior, and posterior

Dorsal, ventral, and lateral

Anterior, posterior, and medial (correct)

Which bony landmarks are associated with the attachments of the fascia lata?

Epicondyles of the femur and head of the fibula Signup and view all the answers

What forms the posterior compartment of the thigh?

Hamstring muscles Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the femoral triangle?

Contains the main blood vessels and nerves of the thigh Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ligaments is associated with the stability of the knee joint?

Cruciate ligaments Signup and view all the answers

What is the anatomical term for the boundary that separates the gluteal fascia and fascia lata?

Inguinal ligament Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary functions of the quadriceps femoris?

Extension of the leg Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle serves as the only head of the quadriceps femoris that influences both the knee and hip joints?

Rectus femoris Signup and view all the answers

What nerve provides the innervation to the quadriceps femoris?

Femoral nerve Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the quadriceps femoris muscle?

Semitendinosus Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the straight head of the rectus femoris?

Ilium – anterior inferior iliac spine Signup and view all the answers

The sartorius muscle is referred to as the tailor's muscle because of its function in which position?

Cross-legged position Signup and view all the answers

Which risk factor is most associated with femoral hernias?

Obesity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is specific to the rectus femoris among the quadriceps heads?

Flexion of the thigh Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct order of boundaries for the adductor canal?

Adductor longus, vastus medialis, vasto-adductor membrane, adductor magnus Signup and view all the answers

Where does the quadriceps femoris insert?

Tibial tuberosity Signup and view all the answers

Which structures pass through the popliteal fossa?

Sciatic nerve, popliteal artery, and vein Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve is NOT located within the adductor canal?

Common fibular nerve Signup and view all the answers

The vastus intermedius is located on which part of the femur?

Anterior and lateral surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the common role of the medial group of thigh muscles?

Adduction of the thigh Signup and view all the answers

What is the medial boundary of the popliteal fossa?

Semimembranosus and semitendinosus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the obturatorius externus muscle?

External rotation of the thigh Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle of the posterior thigh is specifically responsible for extension and internal rotation of the thigh?

Semimembranosus Signup and view all the answers

What innervates the long head of the biceps femoris muscle?

Tibial nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the semitendinosus muscle?

Ischial tuberosity Signup and view all the answers

Which artery continues as the popliteal artery after supplying the thigh muscles?

Femoral artery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following muscles is a part of the hamstring group?

Biceps femoris Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the innervation of the biceps femoris?

Only the long head is innervated by the tibial nerve. Signup and view all the answers

In relation to the femoral artery, where does it enter the thigh?

Through the femoral triangle Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is primarily responsible for flexion of the leg?

Semimembranosus Signup and view all the answers

What insertion point is shared by the semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles?

Medial condyle of tibia Signup and view all the answers

Which nerves are the main branches of the sciatic nerve?

Tibial nerve and common fibular nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is located at the apex of the femoral triangle?

Meeting point of medial borders of adductor longus and sartorius Signup and view all the answers

Which muscles form the floor of the femoral triangle from lateral to medial?

Iliacus, psoas major, pectineus, adductor longus Signup and view all the answers

What is the content of the femoral triangle, in order from lateral to medial?

Femoral nerve, artery, vein, empty space, lymphatics Signup and view all the answers

Which compartment of the femoral sheath contains the femoral vein?

Intermediate compartment Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a femoral hernia?

Herniation of abdominal contents into the femoral canal Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is NOT a part of the contents of the femoral triangle?

Saphenous nerve Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical feature does the term 'femoral canal' refer to?

The medial compartment of the femoral sheath Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the articular branches of the sciatic nerve?

Innervation of hip joint Signup and view all the answers

Which structures are included in the femoral sheath?

Femoral artery, femoral vein, and lymphatics Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Thigh

The thigh is the region of the lower limb between the hip and knee joints.

Fascia of the Gluteal Region and Thigh

Gluteal fascia covers the gluteus maximus and medius muscles, attaching proximally to the iliac crest and distally continuing as the fascia lata.
Fascia lata is a strong deep fascia that envelops the thigh and attaches to the iliac crest, inguinal ligament, epicondyles of the femur, base of the patella, and head of the fibula.
The iliotibial tract is a thickened lateral band of fascia lata that attaches to the tuberosity for the iliotibial tract (tubercle of Gerdy).
Lateral, medial, and anteromedial femoral intermuscular septa divide the thigh into anterior, posterior, and medial compartments.

Muscles of the Thigh

Thigh muscles are organized into anterior, medial, and posterior groups.
The quadriceps femoris forms the anterior group and is the only extensor of the leg.

Anterior Group

The sartorius muscle, also known as the tailor's muscle, is responsible for flexion, abduction, and external rotation of the hip, and flexion of the knee.
The quadriceps femoris muscle is comprised of four heads: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis.
The rectus femoris is the only head that acts on both the hip and knee joint.
The quadriceps femoris muscle is responsible for extending the leg, controlling flexion of the leg, and flexing the thigh (rectus femoris only).

Medial Group

The medial group of thigh muscles includes the pectineus, adductor longus, gracilis, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, and obturator externus muscles.
These muscles are responsible for adduction, flexion, and external rotation of the hip.

Posterior Group

The posterior group of thigh muscles, also known as the hamstring muscles, includes the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus muscles.
These muscles are responsible for extending the hip and flexing the knee.
The biceps femoris has a long and short head, and if the sciatic nerve divides proximally, the biceps femoris is innervated by both the tibial and fibular nerves.

Femoral Artery

The femoral artery is a continuation of the external iliac artery and enters the femoral triangle where it supplies muscles of the thigh.
It passes between the two insertions of the adductor magnus and continues to the popliteal fossa as the popliteal artery.

Femoral Triangle

The femoral triangle is a triangular depression on the front of the thigh below the inguinal ligament.
Its boundaries are laterally: medial border of Sartorius, medially: medial border of adductor longus, and base: inguinal ligament.
The apex is formed by the meeting point of the medial borders of adductor longus and sartorius.
The floor is gutter-shaped and muscular, formed by the iliacus, psoas major (tendon), pectineus, and adductor longus muscles.
The roof is formed by the fascia lata with the saphenous opening.
The femoral triangle contains the femoral artery and its branches, the femoral vein and its tributaries, the femoral nerve, deep inguinal lymph nodes, and the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh.

Femoral Sheath

The femoral sheath is a funnel-shaped fascial sheath that encloses the upper 3-4 cm of the femoral vessels.
It is divided into three compartments by two septa: lateral compartment contains the femoral artery and genitofemoral nerve, intermediate compartment contains the femoral vein, and the medial compartment, known as the femoral canal, is small and can be a site for femoral hernias.

Clinical correlation – Femoral Hernias

A femoral hernia is an uncommon type of inguinal hernia where abdominal contents protrude through the femoral canal.
Risk factors for femoral hernias include old age, female sex, obesity, and previous hernia repair.
Femoral hernias occur predominantly in women due to the wider female pelvis and larger vascular lacuna.

Adductor Canal (Canalis Adductorius)

The adductor canal is a continuation of the femoral triangle that leads to the popliteal fossa.
Its boundaries are medially: adductor longus, laterally: vastus medialis, ventrally: vasto-adductor membrane, and dorsally: adductor magnus.
It contains the femoral artery and vein, and the saphenous nerve.

Popliteal Fossa

The popliteal fossa is a diamond-shaped depression behind the knee.
Its boundaries are medioproximally: semimembranosus and semitendinosus, lateroproximally: biceps femoris, mediodistally: medial head of gastrocnemius, laterodistally: lateral head of gastrocnemius, and bottom (ventrally): popliteus.
It contains the sciatic nerve (tibial and common fibular nerves), popliteal artery and its branches, popliteal vein and tributary veins, and popliteal lymph nodes.

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Description

This quiz explores the anatomy of the thigh, focusing on the regions and fascia of the gluteal region and thigh. Additionally, it covers the organization and functions of thigh muscles, emphasizing the quadriceps femoris and related structures. Test your knowledge of these crucial components of human anatomy.