15 Questions
What is the primary function of the hamstring muscles in the posterior compartment of the thigh?
Hip extension and knee flexion
Which of the following muscles is NOT a part of the hamstring group?
Tibialis anterior
What is the origin of the semitendinosus muscle?
Ischial tuberosity
Which nerve supplies the muscles in the posterior compartment of the thigh?
Sciatic nerve
What is the insertion of the biceps femoris muscle?
Head of the fibula
Which of the following arteries supplies the posterior compartment of the thigh?
Profunda femoris artery
What is the course of the sciatic nerve in the posterior compartment of the thigh?
It descends from the gluteal region
Which muscle does the common fibular nerve innervate in the posterior compartment of thigh?
Short head of biceps femoris
What is the shape of the popliteal fossa?
Diamond-shaped
Which structure forms the floor of the popliteal fossa?
Popliteal surface of the femur
What is the location of the sciatic nerve relative to the adductor magnus muscle?
The sciatic nerve lies on the adductor magnus muscle
Which nerve innervates all muscles in the posterior compartment of leg?
Tibial nerve
What is the location of the termination of the small saphenous vein?
Popliteal fossa
Which muscle forms the lateral boundary of the popliteal fossa below the knee joint?
Lateral head of the Gastrocnemius
Which two nerves are the terminal branches of the sciatic nerve?
Tibial nerve and common fibular nerve
Study Notes
Posterior Compartment of Thigh
- Muscles: Hip Extensors and Knee Flexors (Hamstring)
- Blood Vessels: Perforating branches of Profunda femoris artery
- Nerve Supply: Sciatic Nerve
Hamstring Muscles
- Four muscles:
- Biceps femoris
- Semitendinosus
- Semimembranosus
- Posterior Part of Adductor magnus
Muscles' Origin, Insertion, Supply, and Action
- Biceps femoris:
- Origin: Long head: Ischial tuberosity; Short head: Lateral lip of linea aspera
- Insertion: Head of fibula
- Supply: Sciatic nerve
- Action: Hip extension, lateral rotation, Knee flexion and lateral rotation
- Semitendinosus:
- Origin: Ischial tuberosity
- Insertion: Medial surface of proximal tibia
- Supply: Sciatic nerve
- Action: Hip extension, medial rotation, Knee flexion and medial rotation
- Semimembranosus:
- Origin: Ischial tuberosity
- Insertion: Medial surface of medial tibial condyle
- Supply: Sciatic nerve (L5-S2)
- Action: Hip extension, medial rotation, Knee flexion and medial rotation
- Adductor magnus (Hamstring part):
- Origin: Ischial tuberosity
- Insertion: Adductor tubercle
- Supply: Sciatic nerve
- Action: Hip adduction and medial rotation
Sciatic Nerve
- Descends into the posterior compartment of thigh from the gluteal region
- Innervates all muscles in the posterior compartment of thigh and then continues into the leg and foot
- Lies on the adductor magnus muscle and is crossed by the long head of biceps femoris muscle
- Divides into two terminal branches: the tibial nerve and the common fibular nerve
Tibial Nerve
- Supplies branches to all muscles in the posterior compartment of thigh (long head of biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus)
- Descends through the popliteal fossa, enters the posterior compartment of leg, and continues into the sole of the foot
- Innervates all muscles in the posterior compartment of leg
Common Fibular Nerve
- Innervates the short head of biceps femoris in the posterior compartment of thigh
- Continues into the lateral and anterior compartments of leg and onto the foot
Popliteal Fossa
- An important area of transition between the thigh and leg
- A diamond-shaped space behind the knee joint formed between muscles in the posterior compartments of the thigh and leg
- Major route by which structures pass from one region to the other
Boundaries of Popliteal Fossa
- Laterally: Biceps femoris above and the lateral head of the Gastrocnemius and Plantaris below
- Medially: Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus above and the medial head of the Gastrocnemius below
- Floor: Popliteal surface of the femur and the popliteus muscle
- Roof: Skin and fascia
Contents of Popliteal Fossa
- Termination of the small saphenous vein
- Other contents (not specified)
Explore the muscles, blood vessels, and nerve supply of the posterior thigh compartment, including the hamstring muscles and their origin, insertion, and action.
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