GOOD AFTERNOON

OBJECTIVES

 To provide understanding of morphological,

physiological & psychological principles which
determine & influence man as a
functioning unit.
 To correlate & interpret structural organism &
normal physiology of body & thus to provide
data in which disturbances of function are
anticipated.
 OBJECTIVES
 Enable student to recognize anatomical
basis of clinical signs & symptoms of
disorders due to injury, disease &
mal-development.
 Enable student to understand factors
involved in development of
pathological processes & possible
complications which may arise there
from.
 OBJECTIVES
 To impart such knowledge of pre-clinical
subjects which will enable student to employ (or
judging & recommending in cases of surgery)
competently & rationally all common methods of
exam & treatment (including surgery)
 To enable student to find out strange &
uncommon symptoms from pathognomonic
symptoms for individualization of patients &
drugs for purpose of applying law of similar in
homoeopathic practice
ANATOMY OF LOWER LIMB

PRESENTED BY-
DR. SARSIJ SHARMA

MODERATOR-
DR. J. P. GHILDIYAL
 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To study :
 Embryology- Development and congenital defects
 The Bones- Relevant anatomy
 Muscles- origin, insertion, nerve supply, action
 Arteries- course and branches
 Veins- tributaries and course
 Nerves- Course and muscles supplied
 Applied anatomy
 EMBRYOLOGY
 Lower limb bud (opposite Lumber and upper sacral segments) : 28-29 days
 L.L. bud become flattened to form footplate : 40-42 days
 Entire limb skeleton is cartilagenous : 40- 42 days
 L.L. bud rotates medially (90 degree) - extensor muscles on anterior
surface and great toe medially : 47-49 days
 Separate digits are formed : 54-56 days
 CONGENITAL DEFECTS
 LL malformation - 1.1/10,000 births.

 Meromelia – Partial absence of one or

more extremity.

 Amelia – Complete absence of one or

more extremity.

Phocomelia (a form of amelia) –

rudimentary hands and feet are attached to
the trunk by small,
irregularly shaped bones – due to
Thalidomide.
 CONGENITAL DEFECTS

 Clubfoot (CTEV) – Foot inverted,

planter flexed and adducted since
birth.
 Congenital dislocation of hip –
under development of head of
femur and acetabulum.
 Polydactyly - Extra fingers/toes
 Syndactyly – Abnormal fusion
 Ectrodactyly – Absence of a digit
BONES OF LOWER LIMB
Hip Bone/Innominate (Left) :

Outer Surface Inner Surface

Femur
(Right)

Anterior View Posterior view

PATELLA(RIGHT)

Largest Sesamoid bone – in tendon of quadriceps femoris

Improves the leverage of quadriceps femoris
Protects the knee joint
Tibia-Fibula
(Left)

Anterior View Posterior View

 Foot
(Right)

Superior and Lateral View

 MUSCLES OF LOWER LIMB

Iliopsoas- Origin-
Psoas Major- Transverse process &
lat. surface of bodies of lumber vertebra
Iliacus- Upper 2/3 of iliac fossa, Inner
lip of iliac crest
Insertion- Lesser trochanter of femur
Nerve supply- Lumber plexus L2,3
Action- Flexes thigh on trunk
 Applied Anatomy- Pus from tubercular
infection of thoracic & lumber vertebre
may track down to thigh producing a soft
swelling in F. triangle
 MUSCLES OF THIGH

 Intermuscular Septa
 3 intermuscular septa divide thigh into
3 compartments-
1. Lateral intermuscular septum-
extends from iliotibial tract to lat.lip of
linea aspera.
2. Medial IM septum- attached from
medial lip of linea aspera & fascia lata.
3. Posterior IM septum- poorly defined
because of adductor magnus- has
fused adductor & hamstrings
components
 MUSCLES OF HIP AND THIGH
Gluteals
Extend thigh
rotate thigh
Abducts thigh
Anterior Compartment
Flexes thigh at hip
Extends leg at knee
Medial/Adductor Compartment
Adducts thigh
Medially rotates thigh
Posterior Compartment
Extends thigh
Flexes leg
 GLUTEAL REGION
 Gluteus Maximus –
Origin- Iliac crest dorsal segment,
posterior gluteal line and gluteal
surface behind it, dorsal surface lower
sacrum, side of coccyx
Insertion- gluteal tuberosity of femur,
Iliotibial tract
Nerve supply- Inferior gluteal nerve
Action-Chief extensor of thigh at hip
joint, lateral rotation of thigh,
abduction of thigh
 Gluteus Medius and
Minimus –
Origin- Gluteal surface of ilium
betweem anterior and posterior
gluteal lines
Insertion- Greater trochanter
of femur
Nerve supply- Superior gluteal
nerve
Action- Abduction of thigh at
hip, medial rotation, stablises
hip in walking and running
 Lateral Rotators Of Thigh -
 Muscles are- Piriformis, Gamellus (Sup. & Inf.),
Obturator internus & externus, Quadratus femoris.
 Piriformis-
Origin- Pelvic surface of middle 3 pieces of sacrum
by 3 digitations, greater sciatic notch,
sacrotuberous lig.
Insertion- greater trochanter
Nerve supply- ventral rami of S1,2
 Gemellus Superior-
Origin- Ischial Spine
Insertion- Into tendon of obturator internus
Nerve supply- Nerve to obturator internus
 Gemellus Inferior-
Origin- Ischial tuberosity
Insertion- Into tendon of obturator internus
Nerve supply- Nerve to Quadratus femoris
 Obturator Internus-
Origin- Pelvic surface of- Obt. membrane, body
of ischium, ischial tuberosity, ischiopubic rami
Insertion- tendon leaves pelvis through lesser
sciatic foramen, bends at right angle- inserts on
greater trochanter
Nerve supply- Nerve to obturator internus
 Quadratus Femoris-
Origin- Ischial Tuberosity
Insertion- Quadrate Tubercle
Nerve supply- Nerve to Quadratus femoris
 Obturator Externus-
Origin- Outer surface of – obturator
membrane, margins of obturator foramen
Insertion- Trochanteric fossa
Nerve supply- Obturator nerve
 Tensor Fasciae Latae-
Origin- Ant. Outer lip of iliac
crest, ant. sup. Iliac spine
Insertion- Iliotibial tract
Nerve supply- Superior
gluteal N.
Action- Abductor and Medial
rotator of thigh, extensor of
knee.
 ANTERIOR COMPARTMENT OF THIGH
 Muscles- Sartorius &
Quadriceps Femoris
 Sartorius-
Origin- Anterior
superior iliac spine
Insertion- Upper
medial surface of tibia
Action- Abductor,
flexor, lateral rotator
of thigh, weak knee
flexor
 Quadriceps Femoris-
Origin-
A. Rectus femoris- Ant.
inf. iliac spine, margin of
acetabulum
B. Vastus lateralis- upper
part of intertrochanteric
line, upper part of lat. lip of
linea aspera
C. V. medialis- lower part
of intertrochanteric line,
spiral line, med. lip of linea
aspera
D. V. Intermedius- Upper
anterior and lateral surface
of shaft of femur
Insertion- patella and tibial
tuberosity via the patellar
ligament
Action- Strong extensor of leg-
in addition rectus femoris
flexes the hip joint
Nerve Supply- All muscles of
anterior compartment are
supplied by Femoral nerve
 ADDUCTOR COMPARTMENT OF THIGH

 Muscles are- Adductor longus,

brevis & magnus, Gracilis, Pectineus
 Adductor Longus-
Origin- Body of pubis
Insertion- Linea aspera (middle part)
 Adductor Brevis-
Origin- Body of pubis, inferior ramus
of pubis
Insertion- Lesser trochanter, upper
part of linea aspera
 Adductor magnus-
Origin- Ischial Tuberosity,
Ramus of ischium, inf. ramus
of pubis
Insertion- gluteal tuberosity,
linea aspera, adductor tubercle
 Gracilis-
Origin- Body of pubis, inf.
ramus of pubis
Insertion- Medial surface of
tibia behind sartorius and
infront of semitendinosus
 Pectineus- Origin- Pecten
pubis, superior ramus of
pubis
Insertion- Lesser trochanter
 Nerve Supply- All the
muscles of adductor
compartment are supplied by
Obturator Nerve. Two
muscles have double nerve
supply-
 1. Adductor magnus- Adductor part- Obturator nerve,
hamstring part- Tibial part of sciatic nerve.
2. Pectineus- Anterior fibers- Femoral nerve, posterior
fibers- Obturator nerve
ACTIONS-
1. Adductor longus,brevis and magnus- powerful
adductors of thigh.
2. Hamstring part of adductor magnus extends the
thigh.
3. Gracilis- Flexor and medial rotator of thigh
4. Pectineus- Adducts and flexes the thigh.
 POSTERIOR COMPARTMENT OF THIGH
(HAMSTRINGS)
Muscles are- Ischial head of Add.
Magnus, Semitendinosus,
Semimembranosus, long head of
Biceps femoris
 Ischial head of Adductor
Magnus.
 Semitendinosus- Origin-
Ischial tuberosity
Insertion- Medial surface of
tibia behind sartorius and
gracilis
 Semimembranosus-
Origin- Ischial tuberosity
Insertion- Posterior surface
of medial condyle of the
tibia
 Biceps Femoris-
Origin-
A. Long head- Ischial
tuberosity
B. Short head- linea aspera
between adductor magnus
and vastus lateralis
Insertion- Head of fibula
Nerve Supply-
All the hamstring muscles- supplied by tibial part of
sciatic n. except short head of biceps femoris-
supplied by Commom peroneal n.

Actions-
1. Chief flexors of knee.
2. Weak extensors of hip.
3. When knee is semiflexed Biceps femoris is lateral
rotator of leg and semimembranosus and
semitendinosus are medial rotators of leg.
 MUSCLES OF LEG
 Extensions of deep fascia of
leg form intermuscular
septum that divide leg into
3 compartments.
 Anterior & Posterior
intermuscular septa are
attached to ant. & post.
Border of fibula
respectively.
 3 Compartments- Anterior,
Lateral & Posterior.
 MUSCLES OF LEG
 Anterior Compartment
 Dorsiflexion of ankle, inversion and eversion foot,
extension of toes
 Innervation: Deep Peroneal (Fibular) nerve
 Lateral Compartment
 Eversion and planterflexion of foot
 Innervation: Superficial Peroneal (Fibular) nerve
 Posterior Compartment
 Superficial and deep layers
 Plantarflexion and inversion of foot, flexion of toes
 Innervation: Tibial nerve
ANTERIOR COMPARTMENT OF LEG
 Muscles are- Tibialis
anterior, Extensor hallucis
longus, Extensor digitorum
longus, Peroneus tertius
 Tibialis Anterior-
Origin- Lat. condyle of tibia,
upper part of lat. surface of
the shaft of tibia, adjoining
interosseous memb.
Insertion- Medial cuneiform,
base of 1st metatarsal bone
 Extensor Hallucis
Longus- Origin- Post. &
medial surface of shaft of
fibula in the middle, adjoining
interosseous membrane
Insertion- Base of distal
phalanx of great toe dorsally
 Peroneus Tertius-
Origin- Lower part of medial
surface of shaft of fibula,
adjoining interosseous
membrane
Insertion- Base of 5th
metatarsal bone dorsally
 Extensor Digitorum
Longus-
Origin- Lat. condyle of tibia,
Upper and anterior half of
medial surface of shaft of
fibula, adjoining interosseous
membrane
Insertion- Divides into 4
tendons for lat. 4 toes and gets
inserted on bases of middle and
distal phalanges
 LATERAL COMPARTMENT OF LEG

 Peroneus Longus-
Origin- Head of fibula, Upper
part of lateral surface of fibula
Insertion- Base of 1st
metatarsal bone on lat. side,
Medial cuneiform bone
 Peroneus Brevis-
Origin- Lower part of shaft of
fibula on lateral surface
Insertion- Base of 5th
metatarsal bone on lateral side
POSTERIOR COMPARTMENT OF LEG
SUPERFICIAL MUSCLES-
Gastrocnemius, Soleus,
Plantaris.
 Gastrocnemius- Origin-
A. Medial Head- Back of
medial condyle of femur,
popliteal surface of shaft of
femur
B. Lat. Head- Lat. surface of
lat. condyle of femur
 Soleus- Origin-
A. Tibia- Soleal line, middle of
medial border of shaft
B. Fibula- Back of head, upper
part of posterior surface of
shaft
Insertion- Tendon of both
muscles (=Triceps Surae)
fuses to form Tendocalcaneus
(Achillis) which is inserted to
posterior surface of
calcaneum
 Plantaris-
Origin- Lower part of
lat. supracondylar line
of femur
Insertion- Post.
surface of calcaneum
DEEP MUSCLES- Popliteus, Flexor
digitorum longus, Flexor
hallucis longus, Tibialis
posterior.
 Popliteus-
Origin- Post. surface of tibia
above the soleal line
Insertion- Lat. surface of lat.
condyle of femur, outer margin
of lat. meniscus of knee joint
Action- unlocks knee joint,
flexion at knee joint
 Flexor Digitorum
Longus-
Origin- upper 2/3 of medial
part of post surface of tibia
Insertion- Tendon divides
into 4 slips for lat. 4 toes
and gets attached to
planter surface of distal
phalanx
 Flexor Hallucis Longus-
Origin- Lower ¾ of
posterior surface of fibula
Insertion- Planter surface of
base of distal phalanx of
great toe
 Tibialis Posterior-
Origin- Upper lat. part of
post. surface of tibia below
soleal line, post. part of
interosseus membrane
Insertion- Tuberosity of
navicular bone
 Muscles of Foot

 Arranged in 4 layers-

 Ms. Of 1st Layer- Flexor digitorum brevis, Abductor

hallucis, Abductor digiti minimi
 Ms. Of 2nd Layer- Flexor digitorum accessorius, 4
lumbricals
 Ms. Of 3rd Layer- Flexor hallucis brevis, Adductor hallucis,
Flexor digiti minimi brevis
 Ms. Of 4th layer- 3 plantar & 4 dorsal introssei.
 ARTERIAL SUPPLY OF LOWER LIMB

 Femoral Artery-
Chief artery of LL.
Begins behind the
inguinal ligament at mid-
inguinal point. It passes
in the femoral triangle
then in the adductor
canal. At lower end of
canal it passes through
an opening in the
adductor magnus
(Hiatus Magnus) to
become the Popliteal a.
 Branches of Femoral Artery-
A. Superficial Branches-
1. External Pudendal
2. Circumflex Iliac
3. Epigastric
B. Deep Branches-
1. External Pudendal- Passes deep to
Spermatic cord/round ligament and supplies
scrotum/ labium majus
2. Muscular
3. Profunda Femoris (Deep
A. of Thigh)- Largest branch
of femoral a. Chief artery to
supply all 3 compartments of
thigh.
Branches-
a. Medial Circumflex
femoral
b. Lateral Circumflex
femoral
c. Four perforating arteries
 Politeal A.- Begins at Hiatus
magnus & reaches lower border of
Popliteus & terminates by dividing
into Ant. and Post. Tibial arteries.
Branches-
A. Muscular- supply Hamstrings
above and gastrocnemius & soleus
below
B. Genicular- Medial & lateral
superior, Medial & lateral inferior &
middle genicular a.
 Applied A- Most common artery
prone to aneurysm.
 Anterior Tibial A.- Main
artery of ant. compartment of leg.
Enters ant. compartment by an
opening through the upper part of
interosseous membrane, runs
downward and ends by becoming
Dorsalis Pedis a.
Branches-
A. Muscular
B. Anastomotic- Ant. and post.
tibial recurrent take part in
anastomosis round the knee joint.
Ant. medial malleolar & ant. lateral
malleolar round ankle joint.
 Dorsalis Pedis A.- Begins in front
of ankle between 2 malleoli. Passes
forwards along dorsum of foot & dips
downwards between 2 heads of 1st
dorsal interosseous ms. & ends in sole
by completing plantar arterial arch.
Branches-
A. Lat. tarsal a.
B. Med. tarsal branches
C. Arcuate a.- Ends by anastomosing
with lat. tarsal and lat. plantar a. Gives
off 2, 3 & 4th dorsal metatarsal a.
D. 1st dorsal metatarsal a.- just before it
dips into the sole
 Posterior Tibial A.- Larger
terminal branch of popliteal a.
Supplies back & lat. compartment of
leg, & sole of foot. It runs
downwards to reach midway
between medial malleolus &
calcaneum. It terminates by dividing
into lat. and medial planter a.
Branches-
A. Peroneal Artery- Largest branch
B. Muscular
C. Nutrient artery to tibia
Lateral Planter artery forms the plantar arch which is
completed medially by dorsalis pedis a.
 Obturator Artery- Branch of Posterior division of

Internal Iliac artery, supplies the adductor compartment

of thigh
 Applied A-

1. Pulsations of Femoral a. can be felt against head of

femur at midinguinal point.
2. In 10 % of subjects the dorsalis pedis a. may be
absent
 VEINS OF LOWER LIMB
 DEEP VEINS:
Anterior and
Posterior tibial v.
(drains Peroneal v.)
→ Popliteal v.→
Femoral v. →
External iliac v.
 SUPERFICIAL VEINS-
 Great saphenous
vein-
 Begins at medial

end of dorsal venous

arch of foot
 Passes ant. to the

medial malleolus &

ascends on medial
side of leg, then
passes behind knee
& curves forward
around medial side
of the thigh
 Inclines ant. through the thigh to saphenous
opening- pierces cribriform fascia to enter
femoral vein (lies about 3~4 cm below and lat.
to pubic tubercle)
 Contains 10-15 valve. 1 valve always present at
the sapheno-femoral junction.
 Connected to deep veins by perforators- 3
medial perforators just above ankle, 1 just below
knee, 1 in adductor canal
 Accompanied by saphenous nerve
 Small saphenous vein-
 Arises from the lateral part of
the dorsal venous arch of
foot
 Ascends behind lat. malleolus
& then passes upward to the
midline of the calf
 Pierces deep fascia & enters
the popliteal v.
 It drains lateral side of the
foot & ankle & the back of
the leg.
 Accompanied by sural nerve
 Applied Anatomy-

 Calf pump/ Peripheral heart-SOLEUS.

 Vericose Veins & Ulcers- Valves of
the perforating veins become
incompetent- high pressure from
deep veins transmitted to sup. Veins
Tests- 1. Trendelenburg Test
2. Perthe’s Test
 NERVES OF LOWER LIMB

 Lumbar Plexus
 Arises from L1-L4
 Lies within the psoas major muscle
 Mostly anterior structures
 Sacral Plexus
 Arises from spinal nerve L4-S4
 Lies caudal to the lumbar plexus
 Mostly posterior structures
 Femoral nerve
- Largest branch
- lies lateral to femoral artery in femoral triangle
Motor branches
- Anterior compartment muscles
Cutaneous branches
- Thigh, leg, foot (e.g. saphenous nerve)
Articular-
- Hip and knee joint
Vascular-
- Femoral a. & branches
 Obturator nerve
 Sensory- Skin medial thigh; hip, knee joints

 Motor- Adductor muscles

 Genitofemoral N
 Sensory- Skin scrotum/ labia majora, Femoral

triangle
 Motor- Cremaster muscle

 Ilioinguinal N
 Sensory- Root of penis/mons pubis, ant. 1/3

of scrotum/labium majus, upper medial thigh

 Sciatic N-
Thickest nerve in body, enters gluteal region
through greater sciatic foramen, runs downward &
at superior angle of popliteal fossa divides into
Tibial and Common Peroneal n.
Motor: Hamstring
Branches:
A. Tibial nerve- Larger terminal br.
Cutaneous- Post. leg and sole of foot
Motor- Post. compartment of leg.
Terminates by dividing into medial & lat.
planter n.
B. Common peroneal (fibular) nerve
Smaller terminal branch, winds round the neck of
fibula, pierces peroneus longus and divides into
superficial and deep peroneal nerves
1. Deep peroneal N.-
Nerve of ant. compartment of leg, enters ant.
Comp. by piercing ant. Intermuscular septum
2. Superficial peroneal N. –
Nerve of lat. comp. , terminal branch of Comm.
Peroneal, supplies lower 1/3 of lat. side of leg &
dorsum of foot
 Superior gluteal nerve
 Motor
 Gluteus medius and minimus, tensor fasciae latae
 Inferior gluteal nerve
 Motor
 Gluteus maximus
 Pudendal nerve
 Sensory
 External genitalia, anus
 Motor
 Muscles of perineum
Applied Anatomy-

 Compression of sciatic nerve – sleeping foot

 Shooting pain along the cutaneous distribution ( back of

thigh, lat. Side of leg, dorsum of foot) – Sciatica (due to
compression/irritation)

 Sciatic N. injury- Foot drop.

 LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
 Lymph Nodes-
A. Superficial Inguinal LN- Drain skin & fascia of LL,
perineum, trunk below umbilical plane. 3 sets-
1. Upper lateral gr. : 2-3 nodes, drain- lat. side of thigh,
buttock, flank & back below umbilical plane
2. Upper medial gr. : 2-3 nodes, drain- ant. abd. Wall
below umbilicus, perineum (external genitalia except
glans), anal canal below pectinate line, penile part of male
urethera, superolat. Angle of uterus
3. Lower vertical gr. : along terminal part of great
saphenous vein, 4-5 nodes, drain- lower limb except
buttock & short saphenous territory
Efferents pass to Deep inguinal N.
 Deep Inguinal LN: 4-5 in nodes, lie med. to upper part of
femoral v., afferents -(1) sup. inguinal (2) popliteal (3)
glans penis/clitoris (4) deep lymphatics of LL accompanying
femoral vessels
 Popliteal LN- near termination of small saphenous V. ,
drain the territory of small saph. , deep parts of leg,
efferents run along popliteal & femoral vessels to end in
deep inguinal LN
 Applied Anatomy- (a) Elephantiasis- lymphatic obst.
resulting in great hypertrophy of skin & subcutaneous
tissue
(b) Commenest swelling in subinguinal area- LN
enlargement due to infection, carcinoma
 REGIONAL & APPLIED ANATOMY
 Deep fascia of thigh (Fascia Lata)- Modifications-
(A) Iliotibial tract- thickened laterally to form 2” wide
band, Attached sup- tubercle of iliac crest & capsule of
hip joint, inf- lat. Condyle of tibia ant. 2 muscles are
attached – greater part of G. maximus & tensor fascia
latae. Stabilizes knee joint
(B) Saphenous opening- opening in fascia lata 4 cm
below & lat. To pubic tubercle, closed by cribriform
fascia.
Applied Anatomy(AA)- Fascia lata is attached to inguinal
ligament, flexion of thigh relaxs abdomen fully for
examination
Femoral Triangle

 Boundaries- the inguinal

ligament (base)
superiorly; the medial
border of sartorius
laterally; the medial
border of adductor
longus medially.
Inferiorly, apex of
triangle is continuous
with adductor canal.
 Anterior wall- skin, sup.fascia
containing- sup. Ing. LN. ,
femoral br. Of genitofemoral
N. , Superficial branches of
femoral A. with Veins , upper
part of great saph. V. , fascia
lata- saph. Opening &
cribriform fascia
 Posterior Wall- consists of
adductor longus, pectineus
and iliopsoas , from med. to
lat. side
 Contents-
1. Femoral a. & its branches- superficial & deep
2. Femoral vein and its tributaries.
3. Deep inguinal LN.
4. The femoral nerve.
5. The femoral sheath- encloses upper 3-4 cm of
femoral vessels. Ant. Wall of sheath- fascia
trasversalis, post. Wall- Fascia iliaca
3 compartments- Lateral- Femoral artery &
femoral br. Of genitofemoral N, Middle-
Femoral v. , Medial- Femoral Canal.
 Femoral Canal
 About 1.3cm long ,upper opening
is called the Femoral ring.
 Boundaries of Femoral ring:
the inguinal ligament ant. ;
lacunar ligament med.; pectineus
& its covering fascia post.;
septum separating it from
femoral vein lat. Covered by
femoral septum superiorly.
 The canal contains a little areolar
tissue, a lymph node , and some
lymphatics.
 Femoral Hernia
- Femoral canal- area of potential weakness
- Femoral hernia more common in females-
wider canal
- Typical course - 1st passes through F. canal
then forward through Saph. Opening,
finally upwards along superficial epigastric
& Sup. Circumflex iliac vessels
- Chances of strangulation are very high
- To enlarge femoral ring- have to cut
lacunar lig. Beware – sometimes abnormal
Obturator A. may lie along the edge.
Adductor/Subsartorial/Hunter’s Canal

 Extends from apex of femoral triangle to

the tendinous opening in adductor
magnus (adductor hiatus)
 Boundries- vastus medialis- ant. wall,
adductors longus above and magnus
below- posterior wall (floor), medial wall
(roof)- fibrous membrane joining ant. &
post. walls overlapped by sartorius
 Subsartorial plexus of nerves lies in the
fibrous roof
 Contents –Femoral a.- lies between Femoral v. &
saph. N. at all levels , femoral v.- ascends
posteriorly , Saphenous nerve- crosses lat. To
medial anteriorly , nerve to V. medialis, Obturator
N
 Applied Anatomy-
- Femoral a. is exposed in the adductor canal for
various surgical procedures.
- After ligature of femoral a. in adductor canal
collateral circulation is established between (1)
lateral circumflex femoral & descending genicular
a. (2) 4th perforating a. & muscular branches of
popliteal a.
 Popliteal Fossa
 Diamond-shaped
 Upper lateral boundary:
Biceps femoris
 Upper medial
boundary:
semimembranosus and
semitendinosus
 2 lower boundaries-
heads of gastrocnemius
 Roof: Deep fascia
(Popliteal), superficial
fascia contains short
saphenous v.
 Floor: Popliteal surface
of femur, posterior
capsule of knee joint,
fascia covering
popliteus Ms.
Contents
Deep to superficial
 Popliteal artery and its

branches
 Popliteal vein and its

tributaries
 Tibial and common peroneal

nerves and their branches

 Popliteal lymph nodes

 Fat
 Subcutaneous Bursae

 Prepatellar Bursa-
- lies in front of lower part of patella in upper part of ligamentum
patellae
- Chronic enlargement – Housemaid’s knee
- Infection common in miners – Miner’s beat knee
 Infrapatellar Bursa-
- lies in front of tibial tuberosity & lower part of ligamentum patellae
- Chronic enlargement- Clergyman’s knee
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