Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limb Quiz

Lower Limb Anatomy

• Lower Limb Overview: The lower limb encompasses the hip, thigh, leg, and foot. It's crucial for movement and support.

Palpable Landmarks

• Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS): A prominent bony landmark.
• Inguinal Ligament: A palpable ligament in the groin.
• Greater Trochanter: A prominent bony landmark on the femur.
• Tibial Tuberosity: A bony landmark on the tibia.
• Iliac Crest: A bony landmark on the pelvis.
• Gluteal Fold: A crease in the skin at the juncture of the buttock and thigh.
• Popliteal Fossa: A depression behind the knee.
• Iliotibial Tract: A fibrous band that runs along the lateral thigh.
• Sole of Foot: The bottom surface of the foot.

Pelvic Girdle Bones

• Coxal Bone (Hip Bone): Composed of the ilium, ischium, and pubis.
• Ilium: The largest portion of the coxal bone.
• Ischium: Posterior portion of the coxal bone.
• Pubis: Anterior portion of the coxal bone.
• Sacrum: A triangular bone forming part of the posterior pelvis.
• Coccyx: Tailbone, small triangular bone.
• Pelvic Brim: The opening boundary of the true pelvis.
• Acetabulum: The socket where the femur connects to the hip.
• Iliac Fossa: A depression on the ilium.
• Iliac Crest: The superior margin of the ilium.
• Sacroiliac Joint: Joint where the sacrum meets the ilium.
• Pubic Symphysis: Joint where the two pubic bones meet.
• Pubic Tubercle: A bony prominence on the pubis.
• Sacral Promontory: The anterior superior aspect of the sacrum.
• Anterior Superior Iliac Spine: A bony landmark on the ilium.
• Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine: Another bony landmark on the ilium.

Hip Joint

• Iliofemoral Ligament - Anterior: Reinforces the anterior aspect of the joint capsule.

• Pubofemoral Ligament - Anterior: Reinforces the inferior aspect of the joint capsule.

• Ischiofemoral Ligament - Posterolateral: Reinforces the posterolateral aspect of the joint capsule.

• Ligament of the Head of the Femur/Ligamentum Teres: A small ligament within the hip joint.

• Capsular Ligament: The joint capsule surrounding the hip joint.

• Arteries of the Lower Limb and Pelvis: Diagrams show the main arterial supply branches of the aorta and pelvis to the lower limbs.

• Veins of the Lower Limb and Pelvis: Diagrams show the main venous drainage of the lower limbs and the pelvic region.

Hip and Thigh Pathologies

• Angle of Inclination (Coxa Vara/Normal/Coxa Valga): Abnormal angles can lead to stress on the hip joint and gait irregularities.

• Vitamin D/Calcium Deficiency (Rickets/Osteomalacia): Bone diseases affecting children (Rickets) and adults (Osteomalacia).

• Hip Fracture (due to Osteoporosis): Common in elderly individuals due to bone density loss.

• Common Hip Fractures: Different types of hip fractures, including intertrochanteric, comminuted, reverse obliquity, subcapital neck, transcervical neck, displaced, and femoral head fractures.

• Other Knee and Lower Limb Fractures: Illustrates different types and classifications of fractures of other lower limb bones and the knee joint.

• Congenital Dislocation of the Hip: Defect common in female infants, resulting in an incomplete acetabulum or loose hip ligaments.

Lower Limb Anatomy (Nerves):

• Lumbosacral Plexus: A network of nerves that supply the lower limb.
• Nerves of the lumbar plexus: Diagrams show the different nerves branching out, with labels and anatomical locations.
• Nerves of the sacral plexus: Diagrams show the different nerves for the sacral plexus, including anatomical areas supplied.

Thigh Muscles (Anterior):

• The muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh are primarily extensors of the leg at the knee and secondarily flexors of the thigh at the hip.
• They are innervated by the femoral nerve.
• The femoral artery supplies these muscles.

Thigh Muscles (Medial)

• The muscles of the medial compartment of the thigh are primarily adductors of the thigh.
• Most are innervated by the obturator nerve.
• The obturator and deep femoral arteries supply blood.

Muscles of the Leg (Posterior):

• These muscles consist primarily of extensors of the thigh, with medial and lateral rotation and abduction being possible.
• Gluteus medius is a common injection site.

Posterior Thigh Muscles:

• The hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and adductor magnus) primarily are flexors of the knee.
• They are innervated by the tibial branch of the sciatic nerve.

Special Regions:

• Hunter's Canal: A structure with the femoral artery and vein, important for procedures/injections. Clinical significance includes sensory anesthesia for procedures, and using landmarks to locate the saphenous nerve

Popliteal Fossa:

• Posterior muscles of the lower leg (gastrocsnemius, semitendinosus etc) form the popliteal fossa.

• Popliteal artery and vein: major vessels in this region supplying the muscles and underlying structures of the back of the knee.

• The tibial and common fibular (peroneal) nerve's branches pass through the popliteal fossa

• Genicular arteries and veins

• Arteries and Veins of the Leg and Foot: Diagrams show the major arterial and venous supply to the leg and foot.

Foot Bones:

• Tarsals: A group of seven bones forming the ankle region. Details of each tarsal are specified.
• Metatarsals: A group of five bones in the mid-foot.
• Phalanges: The bones of the toes.

Ankle and Foot Joints:

• Talocrural Joint (Ankle Joint): Articulation of the tibia, fibula, and talus for dorsiflexion and plantarflexions.
• Subtalar Joint (Talocalcaneal Joint): Between the talus and calcaneus; facilitates inversion and eversion movement.
• Intertarsal Joints: Varied joints between the tarsal bones.
• Tarsometatarsal Joints (Lisfranc Joint): Joints between the tarsals and metatarsals crucial for the proper foot structure.
• Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) Joints: Joints between metatarsals and the bases of the phalanges.
• Interphalangeal (IP) Joints (toe joints): Articulations between the phalanges.

Ankle and Foot Ligaments:

• Medial (Deltoid) Ligament: Reinforces the medial side of the ankle joint.
• Lateral Ligaments: (anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, posterior talofibular) Reinforce the lateral side of the talocrural joint.
• Syndesmotic Ligaments: Hold tibia and fibula together forming the ankle mortise.

Compartment Syndrome (Lower Leg):

• Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints): Pain caused by inflammation in the tibia or surrounding structures.
• Exertional Compartment Syndrome: Pain caused by the compression of nerves and blood vessels usually by muscle swelling.

Other Musculoskeletal Injuries and Conditions

• Foot Fractures (Metatarsal stress fractures): Common injuries due to repeated stress.
• Ankle Fractures: A detailed overview of common ankle fracture patterns.

Test your knowledge on the anatomy and functions of the pelvic girdle and lower limb. This quiz covers bones, muscles, arteries, and common conditions related to this region of the body. Prepare to match components, answer questions about effects of diabetes, and identify key anatomical features.