Gluteal Region and Posterior Thigh

Question 1

Gluteal Region

Answer 1

large transitional zone between the trunk and the lower limb
-Physically part of the trunk
-Functionally part of the lower limb

Question 2

Gluteal ligaments

Answer 2

sacrotuberous ligament and sacrospinous ligament

Question 3

Sacrotuberous ligament

Answer 3

converts the sciatic notch into a foramen

Question 4

Sacrospinous ligament

Answer 4

Subdivides the sciatic foramen:
1. Greater sciatic foramen: passageway for structures in/out of the pelvis (sciatic nerve)
2. Lesser sciatic foramen: passageway for structures in/out of the perineum

Question 5

Gluteus maximus

Answer 5

I: IT band
Inn: inferior gluteal n.
Action(s): extends the thigh & assists in lateral rotation; steadies the hip & assists in rising from a sitting position

Question 6

Gluteus medius

Answer 6

Inn: superior gluteal n.
Action(s): abducts & medially rotates hip; keeps pelvis level when ipsilateral limb is weight bearing

Question 7

Gluteus minimus

Answer 7

Inn: superior gluteal n.
Action(s): abducts & medially rotates hip; keeps pelvis level when ipsilateral limb is weight bearing

Question 8

Trendelenburg’s sign

Answer 8

Contraction of the gluteus medius & minimus mm. prevent excessive pelvis tilt
-Trendelenburg’s sign occurs in people with weak or paralyzed abductor muscles of the hip

-Two types of gait:
uncompensated: the opposite hip drops when standing on the affected side
compensated: trunk bends to the affected side

Trendelenburg’s sign usually uncompensated gait

Question 9

Tensor Fasciae latae

Answer 9

O: Anterior superior iliac psine (ASIS) & anterior iliac crest
I: IT band
Inn: superior gluteal n.
Action(s): abducts, medially rotates & flexes thigh; helps to keep knee extended

Question 10

Piriformis

Answer 10

Inn: nerve to piriformis (anterior rami of S1-S2)
Action(s): laterally rotates extended thigh; abducts flexed thigh; stabilizes hip joint

Question 11

obturator internus

Answer 11

Inn: nerve to obturator internus
Action(s): laterally rotates extended thigh; abducts flexed thigh; stabilizes hip joint

Question 12

Superior and inferior gemelli

Answer 12

Inn: superior- nerve to the obturator internus
inferior- nerve to the quadratus femoris
Action(s): laterally rotates extended thigh; abducts flexed thigh; stabilizes hip joint

Question 13

Quadratus femoris muscle

Answer 13

Inn: nerve to the quadratus femoris
Action(s): laterally rotates thigh; stabilizes hip joint

Question 14

Arteries of the gluteal region

Answer 14

1. Superior gluteal a.: exits the greater sciatic foramen superior to the piriformis m., branches into a superficial and deep branch
2. Inferior gluteal a.: exits the greater sciatic foramen inferior to the piriformis m.

Question 15

Ischial bursitis

Answer 15

inflammation of bursa at ischium, common in people who sit down a lot

Question 16

Posterior compartment of the thigh

Answer 16

M: semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris

Inn: tibial division of sciatic n., common tibular division of sciatic n.

Question 17

Semitendinosus

Answer 17

O: ischial tuberosity
I: Superior part of medial surface of tibia (pes anserinus)
Inn: tibial division of sciatic n.
Action(s): extends the thigh & flexes the leg
-Medially rotates knee when flexed
-Can extend trunk when thigh and leg are flexed

Question 18

Pes anerinus

Answer 18

“Say Grace with Tea”
insertion of sartorius, gracilis, semitendinosus
All are flexors of the knee- provide medial support to the knee when extended

Question 19

Semimembranosus

Answer 19

O: ischial tuberosity
I: posterior part of the medial condyle of the tibia
Inn: tibial division of sciatic n.
Action(s): extends the thigh & flexes the leg
-Medially rotates knee when flexed
-Can extend trunk when thigh and leg are flexed

Question 20

Biceps femoris

Answer 20

O: long head- ischial tuberosity
short head- linea aspera & lateral supracondylar line of the femur
I: lateral side of the head of the fibula
Inn: long head- tibial division of sciatic n.
short head- common fibular division of sciatic n.
Action(s): flexes the leg & rotates it laterally when flexed
-Long head- extends the thigh

Question 21

Sciatic nerve

Answer 21

L4-S3
Lies on the adductor magnus m. and crossed by the long head of the biceps femoris m.
-Branches into:
1. Tibial n.
2. Common fibular n.

Question 22

Common fibular n.

Answer 22

L4-S2
-Gives off lateral sural cutaneous n. (cutaneous)

Question 23

Sciatica

Answer 23

-Pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve
-Pain is felt in the buttock, posterior thigh, and posterolateral aspect of the leg around the lateral malleolus to the lateral dorsum of the foot and the entire sole
-Usually caused by herniated disc or bone spur

Question 24

Genicular anastomosis

Answer 24

A network of vessels around the knee that provide collateral circulation capable of supplying blood to the leg during full knee flexion.
1.Superior collateral supply
2. Popliteal artery (directly)
3. Inferior collateral supply

Question 25

Boarders of the popliteal fossa

Answer 25

Superior: semitendinosus and semimembranosus (medial); biceps femoris m (lateral)
Inferior: medial head of gastrocnemius m (medial); lateral head of gastrocnemius m. (lateral)
Roof (posterior): popliteal fascia, skin
Floor (anterior): capsule of the knee joint, adjacent surfaces of the femur, tibia, and popliteus m.

Question 26

Popliteal fossa contents

Answer 26

-Common fibular n.
-Tibial n.
-Popliteal v.
-Popliteal a.
-Popliteal lymph nodes

Question 27

Baker’s cyst

Answer 27

accumulation of synovial fluid in the knee joint