Anterior Thigh Anatomy Lecture

The femur is the longest, largest, and strongest bone in the human body. It connects the hip joint to the knee joint, supporting the weight of the body and providing leverage for movement.

The femur articulates with the patella (knee cap), tibia (lower leg bone), and pelvis (hip bone) to create the hip and knee joints.

The anterior fascial compartment, a subdivision of the thigh, contains muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels that contribute to knee extension, hip flexion, and movement of the thigh.

The iliotibial (IT) band is a strong, thick band of connective tissue that extends from the hip to the knee and plays a crucial role in stability and movement of the lower limb.

The muscles of the anterior compartment are responsible for knee extension, hip flexion, and rotation.

The femoral triangle is a triangular-shaped space in the anterior thigh that contains important blood vessels, nerves, and lymph nodes. It's a vital area for blood flow and nerve function in the lower limb.

The femoral nerve, a major nerve in the lower limb, originates from the lumbar plexus and supplies the anterior compartment muscles. It also provides sensation to the skin of the thigh.

The femoral artery, the main blood vessel supplying the leg, passes through the femoral triangle and branches into several smaller arteries supplying the muscles and tissues of the thigh and leg.

The longest vein in the body; superficial; runs from the foot to the anterior thigh; prone to varicose veins.

A triangular region in the anterior thigh containing important neural and vascular structures: the femoral artery, femoral vein, and femoral nerve. This is a key landmark for understanding blood supply and nerve innervation of the lower limb.

A continuation of the deep fascia, forming a funnel-shaped compartment holding the femoral artery, femoral vein, and femoral nerve. Located within the femoral triangle.

A deep vein in the thigh, running alongside the femoral artery. Helps drain blood from the leg back towards the heart.

A network of vessels and nodes responsible for filtering lymph fluid and returning it to the bloodstream. Generally follows the course of veins.

A powerful hip flexor muscle located in the anterior compartment of the thigh, responsible for bending the hip joint.

The large, flat muscle in the anterior compartment of the thigh, also a powerful hip flexor. It acts in synergy with the psoas major.

A group of nerves that originate from the lumbar plexus and innervate the anterior thigh compartment, supplying motor and sensory functions.

Nerves responsible for controlling muscle movement, bringing signals from the spinal cord to muscles.

Nerves responsible for carrying sensory information, relaying sensations like touch and pressure to the spinal cord.

Blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body, delivering vital oxygen and nutrients.

Blood vessels that return deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart.

A system of vessels that carries lymph, a fluid containing white blood cells, and plays a role in immune response and fluid balance.

A muscle that helps stabilize the knee and pelvis by rotating the femur laterally. It's innervated by the Superior gluteal nerve, which originates from spinal nerve roots L4 & L5.

A long, strap-like muscle that crosses the hip and knee joint. It originates from the ASIS (anterior superior iliac spine) and inserts on the proximal, medial tibia. This muscle contributes to hip flexion, abduction, lateral rotation, knee flexion, and medial rotation.

A group of four muscles, including Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, and Vastus Intermedius, that work together to extend the knee and are innervated by the Femoral nerve (L3 and L4).

This muscle originates from the AIIS (anterior inferior iliac spine), the groove above the acetabulum, and inserts on the tibial tuberosity via the patella and tendon. It primarily extends the knee but also flexes the hip.

A muscle located on the lateral aspect of the thigh, originating from the great trochanter, lateral femur, and linea aspera. It inserts on the tibial tuberosity via the patella and tendon, acting as a knee extensor.

This muscle is situated on the medial aspect of the thigh, originating from the intertrochanteric line, spiral line, linea aspera, supracondylar line, and A magnus. It attaches to the tibial tuberosity via the patella and tendon, primarily extending the knee.

This muscle originates from the anterior and lateral surfaces of the femur and inserts on the tibial tuberosity via the patella and tendon. It works as a knee extensor, like other quadriceps muscles.

A small muscle located beneath the Vastus Intermedius, originating from the anterior surface of the femur. It inserts on the suprapatellar bursa, acting as a retractor for the bursa during knee extension.