Anterior and Medial Thigh

Anterior and Medial Thigh

The lower limb plays pivotal roles in supporting body weight, enabling locomotion, and maintaining balance. The key structures involved in these functions include the femur, tibia, and a variety of muscles and nerves.

Lower Limb Functions

  • Center of gravity Center of Gravity Lower Limb
  • Weight-bearing
  • Locomotion
  • Maintenance of balance

Bones and Regions of the Lower Limb

  • Iliac crest: Top edge of the pelvis. Iliac Crest Anatomy
  • Anterior superior iliac spine: Bony projection on the iliac crest. Anterior Superior Iliac Spine Anatomy
  • Pubic symphysis: Cartilaginous joint uniting the left and right pubic bones. Pubic Symphysis Anatomy
  • Patella: Kneecap, a sesamoid bone. Patella Anatomy
  • Femur: The longest bone in the body. Femur Anatomy
  • Tibia: The shin bone. Tibia Anatomy

There are six major regions in the lower limb:

  • Gluteal region Gluteal Region Anatomy
  • Femoral region
  • Knee region
  • Leg region Leg Region Anatomy
  • Ankle region Ankle Region Anatomy
  • Foot region Foot Region Anatomy

Cross-Section of the Thigh

  • Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Anatomy
  • Deep Fascia (Fascia Lata) Fascia Lata Anatomy
  • Superficial and Deep Veins: The great saphenous vein is particularly notable. Great Saphenous Vein Anatomy

Superficial Veins of the Lower Limb

  • Great Saphenous Vein: The longest superficial vein.
  • Small Saphenous Vein: Terminates at the popliteal vein.

Cutaneous Nerves of the Lower Limb

  • Lateral Cutaneous branch of subcostal nerve
  • Ilioinguinal Nerve
  • Femoral branch of genitofemoral nerve
  • Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve
  • Posterior Femoral Cutaneous Nerve
  • Saphenous Nerve
  • Superficial and Deep Fibular Nerves Superficial Fibular Nerve Anatomy
  • Sural Nerve Sural Nerve Anatomy

Dermatomes of the Lower Limb

Anterior View and Posterior View: Represents the areas of the skin supplied by specific spinal nerves. Dermatomes Lower Limb

Lymphatics of the Lower Limb

  • External Iliac Lymph Nodes
  • Deep and Superficial Inguinal Lymph Nodes: The superficial group drains into the femoral canal.
  • Popliteal Lymph Nodes: Drain into the deep inguinal lymph nodes. Popliteal Lymph Nodes Anatomy

Femur

  • Anterior View: Greater and lesser trochanter, shaft, lateral and medial condyle. Femur Anterior View
  • Posterior View: Linea aspera, medial supracondylar line, adductor tubercle.

Femoral Triangle

Boundaries: Inguinal ligament, sartorius, adductor longus.

Contents: Femoral nerve, artery, and vein (NAVL configuration). Femoral Triangle Contents

Superficial Muscles of the Thigh

  • Anterior Compartment: Iliopsoas, pectineus, sartorius, quadriceps femoris. Anterior Thigh Muscles
  • Medial Compartment: Gracilis. Medial Thigh Muscles

Deeper Muscles and Nerves of the Thigh

  • Vastus Medialis, Intermedius, Lateralis, Rectus Femoris: Part of the quadriceps femoris. Quadriceps Femoris Muscles
  • Femoral Nerve, Artery & Vein: Provide innervation and blood supply to the anterior compartment. Femoral Nerve Artery Vein

Arteries of Thigh and Knee

  • Femoral Artery: Branches into the deep femoral artery. Femoral Artery Anatomy
  • Deep Femoral Artery: Perforating branches supply blood to various compartments.

Muscles of the Medial Compartment of the Thigh (Adductor Group)

  • Adductor Longus, Brevis, Magnus: Key adductor muscles. Adductor Muscles Thigh
  • Pectineus and Gracilis: Assist in adduction and flexion at the hip joint. Pectineus and Gracilis Muscles

Nerves and Arteries of the Medial Compartment

  • Obturator Nerve: Innervates the adductor muscles. Obturator Nerve Anatomy
  • Deep Femoral and Obturator Arteries: Major blood suppliers. Deep Femoral and Obturator Arteries

These details provide a comprehensive overview of the anatomical structures and their functions within the anterior and medial regions of the thigh.