Posterior Thigh Anatomy Quiz

Study Notes

The sciatic nerve runs through the posterior thigh compartment and innervates the muscles there
Perforating branches of the profunda femoris artery supply blood to the muscles
The sciatic nerve branches into tibial and common fibular nerves
The four hamstring muscles are Biceps femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus, and part of Adductor magnus

Hip extensors and knee flexors are the functions of the muscles in this compartment
The gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus are hip extensors
Muscles such as the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and quadratus femoris are knee flexors and thigh extensors

The popliteal fossa is a diamond-shaped space behind the knee
It's a transitional area between the thigh and leg
Important structures passing through include blood vessels and nerves
Boundaries of the popliteal fossa are defined by muscles (Biceps femoris, Gastrocnemius, Plantaris, Semimembranosus, and Semitendinosus).
The floor of the fossa is the popliteal surface of the femur and the popliteus muscle
The roof is skin and fascia
Contents include popliteal artery, vein, nerves, and lymph nodes

The continuation of the femoral artery after passing through the adductor hiatus
Divides into anterior and posterior tibial arteries
Gives off genicular branches in the popliteal fossa
These genicular branches form anastomoses (connections) with other arteries

A branch of the sciatic nerve
Supplies muscles in the posterior compartment of the thigh (long head of biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus)
It descends through the popliteal fossa, enters the posterior compartment of the leg and continues into the sole of the foot
Innervates all muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg

A branch of the sciatic nerve
Innervates the short head of biceps femoris in the posterior compartment of the thigh
Continues into the lateral and anterior compartments of leg and foot