BREGMA COMPILERS
ANATOMY NOTES
SUMMARY Q & A FROM GRAY’S
What anchors the limb to the axial skeleton? Sacroiliac joint and strong ligaments.
What is the popliteal fossa? Diamond shaped region posterior to knee joint.
What is the tarsal tunnel? A series of canals on posteromedial side of ankle for vessles and
nerves to pass from leg to foot.
What is man's center of gravity? Anterior to: SII vertebrae, knee, ankle
Posterior to: hip joint
What minimizes drop in center of gravity? Pelvic rotation, which effectively lengthens limbs
What minimizes rise of center of gravity? 1. Knee flexion
2. Pelvic tilt (drop)
What minimizes lateral shift of gravity? Adduction of hip--knees move towards midline.
What is the femur's weight bearing articulation? Tibia
What are the bones of the leg? Medial: Tibia
Lateral: Fibula
What are the bones of the foot? 7 Tarsal bones: 2 rows with intermediate bone between rows
on medial side
Metatarsals: 1 per digit
Phalanges: 3 per digit, except great two which has 2
What are the flexor muscles of the hip? Iliopsoas
What are the muscle compartments in the thigh? Medial: adductor
Anterior: extensor
Posterior: flexor
What are the muscle divisions in the leg? Lateral: mostly evert the foot
Anterior: dorsiflex foot and extend digits
Posterior: plantarflex foot and flex digits
What are the four major entry/exits points between lower limb 1. Gap between inguinal ligament and pelvic bone
and torso? 2. Greater sciatic foramen
3. Obturator canal
4. Lesser sciatic foramen
What passes through the gap between the pelvic bone and Muscles: psoas muscle, iliacus, and pectineus
inguinal ligament? Nerves: femoral, femoral branch of the genitofemoral, lateral
cutaneous of thigh
Vessles: femoral artery and vein
Lymphatics
Hernias will occur here where the lymphatics pass through the
gap (the femoral canal).
What passes through the greater sciatic foramen? Muscle: Piriformis
Nerves: Sciatic, superior/inferior gluteal, pudendal
Vessels: superior/inferior gluteal vessels and internal pudendal
artery
What is the major nerve of the lower limb? The sciatic nerve
What passes through the obturator canal? Obertator nerve and vessels.
How do structures pass from perineum to gluteal region? Through the lesser sciatic foramen. The tendon of the
obturator internus muscles is the most important structure (in
terms of the lower limb).
What does innervation of lower limb come from? Somatic motor and general sensory: from lumbar and sacral
plexuses
Lower limb big picture: L1 to S3
Lumbar plexus (L1-L4)
Sacral plexus (L4 to S5) (But S4-S5 only for perineum)
What controls extension of the knee? aka patella ligament tap L3 and L4
What does a tendon tap on the calcaneal tendon posterior to S1 and S2
BREGMA COMPILERS
ANATOMY NOTES
the anlk test?
Which nerves innervate the major regions of the lower limb? 1. Gluteal region: superior/inferior Gluteal nerves
2. Anterior thigh: Femoral nerve (except tensor fasciae latae =
superior gluteal nerve)
3. Medial thigh: Obturator nerve (except pectineaus = femoral
nerve and part of adductor magnus = tibial division ofsciatic
nerve)
4. Posterior thigh and leg and sole of foot: Tibial part of Sciatic
nerve (except short head of biceps femoris = common fibular
division of sciatic nerve)
5. Anterior and lateral leg: Common fibular part of Sciatic nerve.
What is a potential damage point for the common fibular branch Aroudndthe neck of the fibula when passing from the popliteal
of the sciatic nerve? fossa into the leg
To what does the great saphenous vein join? Femoral vein (joins in femoral triangle)
To what does the small saphenous vein join? Popliteal vein (joins posterior to knee)
To what does the ischial tuberosity attach? Medial: semitendinosus musle and head of biceps femoris
Lateral: Semimembranosus muscle
Inferior lateral: Adductor magnus muscle
Through what part of the ischial tuberosity is most of the body The lunate surface.
weight transfered to the belvis?
What is the name of the pit in the head of the femur? The fovea
What attaches to the greater trochanter? Obturator internus
Gemelli muscles
Piriformis muscle
What attaches to the lesser trochanter? Combined tendons of psoas major and iliacus muscles
To what does the quadratus femoris attach? The quatrate tubercle.
To what does the gluteus maximus attache? the gluteal tuberosity
What makes the acetabulum a complete foramen? The transverse acetabular ligament.
What ligaments stabilize the acetabulum joint? 1. Iliofemoral ligament: anterior to hip joint
2. Pubofemoral ligament: anteroinferior to hip joint
3. Ischiofemoral ligament: Posteroinferior
What do the three ligaments of the hip joint do? Stabilizes joint and reduces energy to maintain body erect
What vascularizes the hip joint? Branches of:
1. Obturator artery
2. Medial/lateral circumflex femoral arteries
3. Superior/inferior gluteal arteries
4. First perforating branch of the deep artery of the thigh
What innervates the hip joint? Branches of:
1. Femoral nerve
2. Obturator nerve
3. Superior gluteal nerves
4. Nerve of quadratus femoris
Where is the obturator canal? On the anterosuperior edge of the obturator foramen
What passes through the greater sciatic foramen? Above the piriformis:
1. Superior gluteal vessels
Below the piriformis:
1. Sciatic nerve
2. Pudendal nerve
3. Posterior femoral cutaneous nerve
4. Nerve to obturator internus & superior gemellus muscle
5. Nerve to quadratus femoris and inferior gemellus
6. Inferior gluteal vessels, nerves
7. Interior pudendal vessels
What passes through the obturator canal? Obturator vessels and nerve
What passes in the gap between the inguinal ligament and pelvic 1. Femoral branch of genitofemoral nerve
bone? 2. Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh
BREGMA COMPILERS
ANATOMY NOTES
3. Psoas major, iliacus, pectineus muscles
4. Femoral vessels
5. Lymphatics
What passes through the lesser sciatic foramen? 1. Pudendal nerve
2. Obturator internus muscle tendon
3. Internal pudendal vessels
From where do the nerves of the lower limb come? The nerves of the LL are terminal branches of the lumbosacral
plexus
Lumbar plexus: L1 to L4 anterior rami
Sacral plexus: L4 to L5 anterior rami
What does the femoral nerve innervate? 1. Anterior thigh muscles
2. Branches to iliacus and pectineus muscles in abdomen
3. Skin of anterior thigh, medial side of knee, leg and foot
What does the obturator nerve innervate? 1. All muscles of medial compartment of thigh (except part of
adductor magnus)
2. Obturator externus muscle
3. Skin on medial side of upper thigh
What does the sciatic nerve innervate? 1. All muscles in posterior compartment of the thigh
2. Part of adductor magnus originating from the ischium
3. All muscles of leg and foot
4. Skin of lateral side of leg and lateral side & sole of foot
What are the origin and branches of the sciatic nerve? From L4 to S3.
Branches: common fibular nerve and the tibial nerve
What does the superior gluteal nerve innervate? 1. Gluteus medius and minimus
2. Tensor fasciae latae muscle
What does the inferior gluteal nerve innervate? Gluteus maximus
What does the ilio-ingunal nerve innervate? Medial upper thigh and perineum
What does the genitofemoral nerve innervate? Upper central anterior thigh
What does the lateral cutaneous femoral nerve innervate? Skin on lateral side of thigh. Go figure.
What does the nerve to obturator internus also supply? Gemellus superior.
What does the nerve to quadratus femoris also supply? Gemellus inferior
What is unique about the perforating cutaneous nerve? It leaves the pelvis by penetrating through the sacrotuberous
ligament.
Innervates: Skin of medial gluteal fold
What is the major artery of the lower limb? The femoral artery--from external iliac
What other arteries supply the lower limb? 1. Superior/inferior gluteal arteries: from internal iliac.
2. Obturator artery: from internal iliac. Supplies medial
compartment of thigh.
What are the anastomoses of the upper thigh and gluteal Everything: femoral inferior/superior gluteal, obturator, and
region? internal pudendal artery
What is the major deep vein of the lower limb? The femoral vein
What are the two major channels of superficial veins? Great and small saphenous vein. Both originate from teh dorsal
venous arch in the foot.
What are the lymph nodes of the lower limb? Superficial inguinal nodes, external iliac, deep inguinal, popliteal
nodes.
What is fascia lata? Deep fascia that forms a thick membrane that covers limb
What inserts into the iliotibial tract (of fascia lata)? The tensor fasciae latae and the gluteus maximus
What is the aperture of the fascia lata? The saphenous opening
What forms the femoral triangle? Top: Inguinal ligament
Medially:medial margin of adductor longus (at gracilus)
Laterally:medial margin of sartorius
Medial floor: pectineus and adductor longus
Lateral floor: iliopsoas muscle
What is the adductor canal? A canal that runs down the thigh and opens into the popliteal
BREGMA COMPILERS
ANATOMY NOTES
fossa
What are the major structures in the femoral triangle? Lateral to medial: NAVL: femoral nerve, femoral artery, vein,
lymphatics
Where do femoral hernias occur? The femoral canal
What do muscles in the gluteal region mainly do? Abduct, extend, and laterally rotate femur
How does the sciatic nerve enter the lower limb? Passes through greater sciatic foramen, descends through
gluteal region
What are the functions of muscles in the gluteal region? 1. Lateral rotators: piriformis, obturator internus, gemellus
superior/inferior, quadratus femoris
2. Abduct and extend: gluteus minimus, medius, maximus.
3. Stabilizes knew in extension: tensor fasciae latae
What seven nerves enter the pelvis through the greater sciatic Superior gluteal, sciatic, quadratus femoris nerve, obturator
foramen? internus nerve, posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh, pudendal
nuerve and inferior gluteal nerve.
Between what do many nerves of the gluteus run? Deep and superfical muscle groups.
Deep: lateral rotators of hip: piriformis, obturator internus,
gemellus, quadratus femoris
Superficial: abductors and extendors of hip: gluteaus muscles
and tensor fasciae latae.
What does the sciatic nerve innervate? All muscles of posterior thigh that flex knee and all muscles in
ankle and foot.
What arteries enter gluteal region through greater sciatic Inferior/superior gluteal arteries
foramen?
What are the major structures passing anteriorly between the Iliopsoas muscles, pectineus muscle, femoral nerve/artery/vein,
thigh and abdomen? lymphatics
Which nerves go to which compartments of the thigh? Posterior: sciatic nerve
Anterior: femoral nerve
Medial: obturator nerve
What attaches to the facets of the lateral epicondryles? Upper facet of lateral epicondryle: lateral head of
gastrocnemius muscle
Lower facet of lateral epicondryle: popliteus muscle
Where is the patella formed? WIthin the tendon of the quadrecepts femoris muscle
How many facets for attachemnt does the intercondylar region Six
hold?
For what is the most anterior facet of attachment on the Anterior end of medial meniscus attaches
anterior intercondylar area?
What is immediately posterior to the attachement for the Attachement for anterior cruciate ligament
medial meniscus?
What is lateral to the attachment site of the anterior cruciate Attachemnt for anterior lateal miniscus
ligaments on the anterior intercondylar area?
What are the three attachment on the posterior intercondylar Anterior: Posterior horn of lateral miniscus
area? Posteromedial: Posterior horn of medial meniscus
Posterior: Attachment for posterior cruciate ligament
What is the patellar ligament? Where does it attach? The patellar ligament is the continuation of the quadricepts
femoris tendon below the patella. Attaches to tibial tuberosity.
What muscles of anterior thigh act on hip joint? Psoas major and iliacus
What muscles of anterior thigh act on both hip and knee joints? Sartorius and rectus femoris
What muscles of anterior thigh act on knee joint? The three vastus muscles.
How do the vastus muscles stabilize the patella? They insert into the margins of the patella as well as into the
quadriceps femoirs tedon.
What does a tap on the patella test? Reflex activity at spinal cord level L3 and L4
What are the origins of the vastus and rectus femoris muscles? Vastus muscles: femur
Rectus femoris: pelvis
Which vastus muscle is the largest? The lateralis.
To what does the patellar ligament attach? Margins of patella and tibial tuberosity.
BREGMA COMPILERS
ANATOMY NOTES
What makes up the pes anserinus (Goosefoot)? The sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinous muscles.
What in the medial thigh can rotate the thigh? Medially rotate: adductor longus and magnus
Laterally rotate: obturator externus
Where does the femoral artery run? Through the adductor canal.
Where is the adductor brevis in relation to the pectineus and Posterior
adductor longus?
What forms the adductor canal? The adductor canal runs through an aperture in the lower end
of the adductor magnus muscle. It forms the apex of the
femoral triangle.
What is the adductor hiatus? Gap between hamstring and adductor parts of adductor
magnus muscles that allows femoral artery and vein to pass
between adductor canal and popliteal fossa behind the knee.
What flexes the leg at the knee and extend the thigh at hip? The hamstrings: biceps femoris, semitendinous,
semimembranosus
What is the relationship between the semimembranous and Semimembranous is deep to semitendinosus
semitendinosus muscles?
What arteries enter the thigh? Femoral
Obturator
Inferior gluteal
Where does the femoral artery come from? External iliac artery becomes femoral as it passes under inguinal
ligament
How does the femoral artery leave the thigh? Through the adductor hiatus in the adductor magnus muscle.
what does the femoral artery become? the popliteal artery behind the knee
What branches off the femoral artery in the femoral trianglle? 1. Superifical epigastric
2. Superficial circumflex iliac
3. Superficial external pudendal
4. Deep external pudendal
What is the largest branch of the femoral artery? The deep artery of thigh (from lateral side in femoral triangle)
Where does the deep artery of the thigh run? Between adductor longus and pectineus , then
Between adductor longus and adductor brevis, then
Between adductor longus and adductor magnus, then
Penetrates adductor magnus to connect with branches of
popliteal artery
What are the branches of the deep artery of the thigh? Lateral and medial circumflex femoral branches
3 perforating branches
Where does the lateral circumflex femoral artery run? Deep to rectus femoris
What does the lateral circumflex femoral artery supply? 1. Neck and head of femur
2. Rectus femoris
3. Vastus lateralis
With what does the medial circumflex femoral artery Obturator artery
anastomose? Gluteal artery
Lateral circumflex femoral
What arteries supply the posterior compartment of the thigh? The three perforating femoral arteries
From where does the obturator artery come? The internal iliac artery. Enters thigh through obturator canal.
From where does the great saphenous vein originate? From a venous arch on the dorsal foot
With what does the great saphenous vein connect? The femoral vein (in the femoral triangle)
From where does the femoral nerve originate? Lumbar plexus on posterior abdominal wall
What does the femoral nerve innervate? 1. Skin on front of thigh and knee
2. Motor nerves: quadriceps and sartorius
3. Saphenous nerve: skin as far as medial foot
Where does the saphenous nerve run? Accompanies femoral artery through femoral canal, but does
not pass through adductor hiatus. Penetrates tissue to appear
between sartorius and gracilis muscles.
What does the obturator nerve supply? Medial thigh
What separates the branches of the obturator nerve? Adductor brevis muscle
BREGMA COMPILERS
ANATOMY NOTES
What are the branches of the sciatic nerve? Tibial nerve
Common fibular nerve
What does the tibial nerve innervate? All muscles of posterior thigh, except the biceps femoris, which
is innervated by the common fibular
All muscles of posterior leg
All intrinsic muscles of sole of foot, except the first two dorsal
interossei muscles (which are innervated by the deep fibular
nerve)
Skin on posterolateral side of lower leg, medial ankle,foot
What does the common fibular nerve innervate? Short head of biceps femoris
All muscles in lateral and anterior leg
Extnensor digitorum brevis on foot
First two dorsal interossei muscles
Skin over lateral leg, ankle and dorsal foot
What are the articular surfaces of the knee joint? Two femoral condyles
Adjacent surfaces of tibial condyles
What are menisci? C shaped cartilages
Why is the lateral meniscus more mobile than the medial? The medial is attached to the capsule of the joint and to the
tibial collateral ligament, while the lateral is not
How are the minisci interconnected? Anteriorly by the transverse ligament of the knee
Lateral miniscus is also attached to tendon of popliteus muscle,
which inserts on the femur
Where does the synovial membrane attache? To the margins of the articular surfaces and menisci
Where do the two cruciate ligaments attach? Above: intercondylar fossa of femur
Below: intercondylar region of tibia
Where are the cruciate ligaments? They are outside the articular cavity, but enclosed within the
fibrous membrane of the knee joint
What separates the synovial membrane from the patellar The infrapatellar fat pad
ligament?
What are the pouches formed by the synovial membrane for 1. Subpopliteal recess: between lateral meniscus and tendon of
movement of tendons near knee joint? popliteus muscle
2. Suprapatellar bursa: attached to articularis genus muscle,
which pulls bursa away from joint during extension of the knee
What does the fibrous membrane of the knee enclose? Articular cavity, intercondylar region, popliteus muscle
What reinforces the fibrous membrane? Iliotibial tract fibrous extensions
Tendon of semimembranosus (oblique popliteal ligament)
What are the major ligaments associated with the knee joint? 1. Patellar ligament
2. Tibial (medial) collateral ligament
3. Fibular (lateral) collateral ligament
4. Anterior/posterior cruciate ligaments
What forms the patellar ligament? The quadriceps femoris tendon
What is the fuction of the cruciate ligaments? Anterior: prevent anterior displacement of tibia
Posterior: prevent posterior displacement
How does the shape of the femoral condyles help locking of the Flexed: surfaces of femoral condyles are rounded
knee? Extneded: surfaces are broad and flat
What are the locking mechanisms of the knee? 1. Shape of femoral condyle
2. Medial rotation of femur on tibia during extension: tightens
ligaments
3. Center of gravity anterior to knee: maintains extension
What unlocks the knee? The popliteus muscle by lateral rotation of femur on tibia
What vascularizes the knee? 1. Femoral artery
2. Popliteal artery
3. Lateral circumflex femoral arteries
4. Atnerior tibial artery
What innervates the knee? Obturator, femoral, tibial, common fibular nerves
What muscles outline the popliteal fossa? Upper medial: semitendinous and semimembranous
BREGMA COMPILERS
ANATOMY NOTES
Upper lateral: biceps femoris
Lower medial: medial head of gastrocnemius
Lower lateral: plantaris musclas and gastrocnemius
What are the major components of the popliteal fossa? 1. Popliteal artery
2. Popliteal vein
3. Tibial nerve: exits fossa deep to plantaris muscle. Popliteal
artery follows the tibial nerve.
4. Common fibular nerve: exits by following biceps femoris
tendon. Swings around the neck of the fibula.
Where is the popliteal artery located in the fossa? Deepest neurovascular structure. Difficult to palpate.
What is the most important structure in the roof of the popliteal The small saphenous vein. The posterior cutaneous nerve of
fossa? thigh also passes through.
How do structures pass from the leg to the foot? 1. Posteriormedial: Through tarsal tunnel
2. Anterior: Anterior tibial artery; Deep/superficial fibular
nerves
Which compartments on the leg do what? Anterior: extend (dorsiflex) ankle, extend toes, invert foot
Posterior: flexor (plantarflex) ankle, flex toes, invert foot
Lateral: Evert foot
What is the interosseous membrane of the leg? Connects the tibia to the fibula
What is the soleal line? An oblique line on the posterior tibia
What is the medial malleolus? Bony protuberance on medial side of distal tibia
What is the fibular notch? A deep triangular notch on lateral side of distal tibia. Fibula
attaches to tibia at fibular notch.
What forms the lateral malleolus? The distal fibula
What passes through the two apertures of the interosseous Superior aperture: anterior tibial vessels
membrane? Inferior aperture: perforating branch of fibular artery
What innervates muscles of the posterior leg? Tibial nerve
What is the most superficial muscle of the posterior leg? Gastrocnemius
What forms the calcaneal tendon? The gastrocnemius, soleus muscles, and plantaris tendon
Where does the plantaris run? Short spindl muscle near knee, then tendon runs between
gastrocnemius and soleus muscles
What nerves are associated with which movements of the leg? Hip flexion: L1, L2: Iliopsoas
Knee flexion: L5 to S2: Hamstrings
Knee extension: L3-L4: Quadriceps femoris
Ankle plantarflexion: S1, S2
Ankle dorsiflex: L4, L5
What do the knee and calcaneal taps test? Knee: L3/L4
Calcaneal: S1/S2
Through what does the flexor hallucis longus pass on it's way to Tendon curves under talus then under sustentaculum talus (a
the foot? shelf of bone)
When is the flexor hallucis longus particularly active? During the toe-off phase of walking
Where do the flexor hallucis longis and flexor digitorum longus Flexor hallucis longis: lateral side of posterior leg
originate? Flexor digitorum longis: medial side of posterior leg
How does the flexor digitorum longus cross the two tendons Flexor digitorum longus crosses posterior to tendon of tibialis
from the posterior leg? posterior
Flexor digiotorum longus crosses inferior to tendon of flexor
hallucis longus
What lies between the flexor hallucis longus and flexor Tibialis posterior
digitorum longus?
How does the popliteal artery enter the leg? Between gastrocnemius and popliteus muscles, then
Under the tendinous arch between the femoral and tibial heads
of the soleus muscle.
Into what does the popliteal artery bifurcate? Anterior tibial artery: passes through upper aperture of
interosseous membrane. Continues to dorsal foot.
Posterior tibial artery: Supplies posterior and lateral leg.
Continues to sole of foot.
BREGMA COMPILERS
ANATOMY NOTES
The posterior tibial artery runs along the superficial surface of Tibialis posteror muscle
which muscles? Flexor digitorum longus muscle
What are the branches of the posterior tibial artery? 1. Circumflex fibular artery: pass laterally through soleus
muscle, around neck of fibula
2. Fibular artery: parallels tibial artery, but descends along
lateral side.
What does the fibular artery supply? Posterior compartment muscles, as well as,
fibularis muscles of lateral leg
What passes through the inferior interosseous membrane A perforating branch of the fibular artery, which anastomoses
aperture? with a branch of the anterior tibial artery.
Where does the fibular artery terminate? Over the calcaneus
What nerve is associated with the posterior leg? Tibial nerve--branch of the sciatic nerve
What does the tibial nerve give rise to? The sural nerve and medial calcaneal nerve
Where does the sural nerve originate? Between the two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle
What does the sural nerve supply? Skin on lower posterolateral leg and lateral foot, little toe
What does the medial calcaneal nerve supply? Skin on the medial surface and sole of foot
Where is fibularis brevis? Deep to fibularis longus
what arteries supply the lateral leg? Branches of fibular artery
What nerve is associated with the lateral leg? Superficial fibular nerve (branch of common fibular)
How does the sciatic nerve branch in relation to the lateral leg? Sciatic nerve-->
Common fibular nerve-->
Branches: Sural communicating + lateral sural cutaneous
Divides: Superficial fibular nerve + deep fibular nerve
What does the superficial fibular nerve innervate? 1. Fibularis longus and brevis
2. Dorsal foot and toes, except:
-Web space between 1st and 2nd toe: deep fibular nerve
-Lateral side of little toe: Sural branch of tibial nerve
What does the deep fibular nerve supply? The anterior leg
What do the muscles of the anterior leg do? Dorsiflex foot, extend toes, and invert foot
What is the order of tendons of muscles of the anterior leg? Medial to lateral: Tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus,
extensor digitorum longus
What muscle of the anterior leg is considered part of another? The fibularis tertius is normally considered part of the extensor
digitorum longus. They connect.
What artery is associated with the anterior leg? The anterior tibial artery (originates from the popliteal artery in
the posterior leg)
Where does the anterior tibial artery run on the distal leg? Between the tendons for tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis
longus
What joins the anterior tibial artery in the leg? The perforating branch of the fibular artery
What are branches of the anterior tibial artery? Anterior medial/lateral malleolar artery: connect with posterior
tibial and fibular arteries around ankle
What nerve is associate with anterior leg? Deep fibular nerve
What does the fibular nerve supply? All muscles of anterior leg
Extensor digitorum brevis
Contributes to first two dorsal interossei muscles
Skin between great and second toe
What are the bones of the foot? 7 tarsal bones (form ankle)
5 metatarsals
3 phalanges per toe (except big, which has two)
What are the two most proximal tarsal bones? Talus = ankle. Most superior. Articulates with tibia, fibula, and
navicular bone.
Calcaneus = heel. Largest tarsal bone. Articulates with one distal
tarsal bone.
what is the shape of the talus? Snail shaped
What connects the calcaneous to the navicular? The plantar calcaneonavicular ligament
What is the groove on the neck of the talus? Sulcus tali
BREGMA COMPILERS
ANATOMY NOTES
On what bone is the lateral malleolus? The fibula
Where does the Achilles' tendon attach? The middle part of calcaneus
Calcaneal tuberosity--on bottom of foot
What attaches to the calcaneal tubercle? The short plantar ligament
Where is the sustentaculum tali? What runs through it? Medial talus
Tendon of flexor hallucis longus muscle
What forms the tarsal sinus? the calcaneal sulcus on the superior calcaneus and the
sulcus tali on the inferior talus
What is the navicular? The intermediate tarsal bone
What attaches to the tuberosity of navicular? The tibialis posterior tendon
What makes up the distal tarsal bones? (Lateral to medial) 1. Cuboid: fibularis longus muscles lies in plantar groove
2. Three Cuneiforms: lateral, intermediate, medial
Which metatarsal is the shortest? Metatarsal I (big toe)
What makes up the ankle joint? The talus, tibia, fibula
What covers the articular sufaces of the ankle? Hyaline cartilage
Why is the foot more stable when dorsiflexed? The articular surface of the talus is much wider anteriorly than
posteriorly. Therefore, the bone fits tighter into the socket
when dorsiflexed.
Where does blood supply enter the talus? Through the tarsal canal from a branch of the posterior tibial
artery.
What stabilizes the ankle joint? The medial and lateral ligaments
What are intertarsal joints? Numerous synovial joints between the individual tarsal bones
What are the major intertarsal joints for movement? 1. Subtalar joint
2. Talocalcneonavicular joint
3. Calcaneocuboid joint
What is the transverse tarsal joint? The talocalcaneonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints together
Where is the subtalar joint? Between the calcaneous and the talus
What is the longest ligament in the sole of the foot? The long plantar ligament; it resists depression of the lateral
arch of the foot
What is the flexor retinaculum? A strap-like layer of connective tissue that spans the
posteriormedial side of the ankle. Attaches to the medial
malleolus and the calcaneus
What is the location of the tendons of tibialis posterior and Tendon of tibialis posterior is medial to the tendon of flexor
flexor digitorum longus? digitorum longus
What pulse do we feel on the posteromedial side of the foot? The pulse of the posterior tibial artery through the flexor
retinaculum
What do the extensor retinacula do? Strap the tendons of the extensor muscle to the ankle region
and prevent tendon bowing during extension of the foot.
What do the fibular retinacula do? Bind the tendons of the fibularis longus and fibularis brevis to
the lateral side of the foot.
What are the arches of the foot? The longitudinal arch and transverse arch
What do the arches do? Absorb and distribute downward forces
What ligaments support the arches? 1. Plantar calcaneonavicular
2. Plantar calcaneocuboid
3. Long plantar ligaments
4. Plantar aponeurosis
What muscles provide dynamis support of the arches? 1. Tibialis anterior/posterior
2. Fibularis longus
What is an intrinsic muscle of the foot? A muscles that originates and inserts in the foot.
What intrinsic muscle is on the dorsal foot? The extensor digitorum brevis
What do intrinsic muscles do? Modify actions of the long tendons.
What innervates the intrinsic muscles Plantar branches of tibial nerve
Except: Extensor digitorum--innervated by deep fibular nerve
What is the second muscle layer of the foot associated with? The tendons of flexor digitorum longus muscle
The sesamoid bones of the foot is inside which tendon? The tendon of flexor hallucis brevis
BREGMA COMPILERS
ANATOMY NOTES
Which tendon passes between the sesamoid bones? The tendon of flexor hallucis longus
What innervates the first and second dorsal interossei muscles? The lateral plantar nerve AND branches of deep fibular nerve
How is the second toe adducted? By one of its dorsal interossei
What supplies blood to the foot? Branches of the:
1. Posterior tibial artery
2. Dorsalis pedis artery
What forms the deep plantar arch (arteries)? The lateral plantar artery and the dorsalis pedis artery
What supplies blood to the toes? Branches from the deep plantar arch
From where does the dorsalis pedis artery come? The dorsalis pedis artery is a continuation of the anterior tibial
artery
How does the posterior tibial artery enter the foot? On the MEDIAL side, through the tarsal tunnel.
Where does the deep plantar arch cross the foot? It crosses the metatarsal bases and the interossei muscles
Where does the deep plantar arch join the dorsalis pedis artery? Between the bases of metatarsals I and II
Where does the dorsalis pedis artery begin? The anterior tibial artery becomes the dorsalis pedis artery as it
crosses the ankle joint
From where does the deep plantar artery come? The deep plantar artery is a continuation of the dorsal pedis
artery
What are the branches of the dorsalis pedis artery? 1. Lateral/medial tarsal branches
2. Arcuate artery-->give dorsal metatarsal arteries-->give dorsal
digital arteries
3. First dorsal metatarsal artery
From where do the great and small saphenous veins originate? Great saphenous vein: MEDIAL side of arch, passes anterior to
medial malleolus
Small spahenous vein: LATERAL side of arch, passes posterior to
lateral malleolus
What nerves innervate the foot? 1. Tibial nerve: Intrinsic muscles, skin of sole of foot
2. Deep fibular: Extensor digitorum brevis; 1st, 2nd interossei
muscles; Skin on toes 1, 2.
3. Superficila fibular: Skin on dorsal foot
4. Sural: Skin on lateral foot and little toe
5. Saphenous nerve: Skin on medial, proximal foot
What does the tibial nerve innervate? All intrinsic muscles, except the extensor digitorum brevis
(innervated by deep fibular nerve)
What does teh superficial fibular nerve innervate? Skin on the dorsal aspect of the foot, except for skin on toes 1, 2
What does the tibial nerve become? The medial and lateral plantar nerve
What is the major sensory nerve in the sole of the foot? The medial plantar nerve
What vessel does the lateral plantar nerve follow? The deep plantar arch
What does the deep fibular nerve innervate? The extensor digitorum brevis and the first two dorsal interossei
muscles
Lateral branch: flexor digitorum brevis
Dorsal digital nerves: skin on toes 1, 2
From where does the sural nerve come? The sural nerve is a branch of the tibial nerve
From where does the saphenous nerve come? The saphenous nerve is a branch of the femoral nerve
Between what bones does the sciatic nerve pass? The ischial tuberosity and the greater trochanter
What is the medial to lateral order of vessels in the femoral Femoral vein, femoral artery, femoral nerve: VAN
triangle?
What runs through the tarsal tunnel? (Anteromedial to Tendon of tibialis posterior
posterolateral) Tendon of flexor digitorum longus
Posterior tibial artery and veins
Tibial nerve
Tendon of flexor hallucis longus
(Tom, Dick, and Bloody Nervous Harry)