Lower limb 4

Question 1

Upper medial border of popliteal fossa is formed by what muscle

Answer 1

Semimembranosus

Question 2

Upper lateral border of popliteal fossa is formed by what muscle

Answer 2

Biceps femoris

Question 3

Inferior boundaries of the popliteal fossa is formed by what muscle

Answer 3

Medial and lateral heads of gastrocnemius

Question 4

Contents of the popliteal fossa (7)

Answer 4

Fat
Popliteal artery + vein
Common fibular nerve
Tibial nerve
Lymph nodes 
Small saphenous vein --> popliteal vein

Question 5

Popliteal artery is continuation of

Answer 5

Femoral artery as it emerges the adductor hiatus

Question 6

List the muscles of the superficial layer of the posterior leg (3)

Answer 6

Gastrocnemius
Plantaris
Soleus

Question 7

Actions of gastrocnemius (2)

Answer 7

Plantarflex foot

Flex knee

Question 8

Action of plantaris

Answer 8

Plantarflex foot

Question 9

Action of soleus

Answer 9

Plantarflex foot

Question 10

Innervation of the posterior compartment of leg

Answer 10

Tibial nerve

Question 11

Which branch of the popliteal artery supples the posterior compartment of the leg

Answer 11

Posterior tibial

Question 12

Position of the posterior tibial artery pulse

Answer 12

Between the posterior surface of the medial malleolus and medial border of calcanea tendon

Question 13

List the muscles of the deep layer of the posterior leg (4)

Answer 13

Popliteus
Tibialis posterior
Flexor digitorum longus
Flexor hallucis longus

Question 14

Function of popliteus (1)

Answer 14

Unlocks the knee to allow flexion

Question 15

Functions of tibialis posterior (2)

Answer 15

Plantarflex + invert foot

Question 16

Function of

• flexor digitorum longus (1)
• flexor hallucis longus (1)

Answer 16

Flex lateral 4 toes

Flex big toe

Question 17

What nerve and vessels accompany the 3 muscle tendons of the deep layer of the posterior leg (they pass medially to enter through the ‘door to the foot’, posterior to the medial malleolus)

Answer 17

Tibial nerve

Posterior tibial artery + vein

Question 18

Bones of the

• forefoot (2)
• midfoot (3)
• hindfoot (2)

Answer 18

Forefoot - phalanges + metatarsals

Midfoot - cuboid + navicular + cuneiforms

Hindfoot - calcaneus + talus

Question 19

What fibrous sheet covers the sole of the foot

Answer 19

Plantar aponeurosis

Question 20

What clinical condition is associated with the plantar fascia + presentation

Answer 20

Plantar fasciitis

• presents as heel pain
• brought on by overuse (running) or increase in weight/age

Question 21

What joint is responsible for eversion and inversion of the foot

Answer 21

Subtalar (talocalcaneal) joint

Question 22

Subtalar joint type

Answer 22

Synovial plane

Question 23

What muscles allow movement at the subtalar joint (eversion and inversion)

Answer 23

Lateral leg - fibularis longus + brevis

Question 24

Muscles of the sole of the foot are arranged in 4 layers

Name the muscles in layer 1 (most superficial; immediately under plantar fascia) (3)

Answer 24

Abductor hallucis
Abductor digiti minimi
Flexor digitorum brevis

Question 25

Functions of abductor hallucis (2)

Answer 25

Abduct + flex big toe

Question 26

Function of flexor digitorum brevis (1)

Answer 26

Flex lateral 4 toes at the PIP joint

Question 27

Functions of abductor digiti minimi (2)

Answer 27

Abduct + flex small toe

Question 28

Innervation of the plantar muscles of the foot (2)

Answer 28

Medial + lateral plantar nerve

Question 29

Muscles of the sole of the foot are arranged in 4 layers Name the muscles in layer 2 (2)

Answer 29

Quadratus plantae | Lumbricals

Question 30

Function of quadratus plantae (1)

Answer 30

Assists flexor digitorum longus in flexing the lateral four toes

Question 31

Functions of the lumbricals of the foot (2)

Answer 31

Flex the MTP joints | Extend the IP joints

Question 32

What are the 2 terminal branches of the tibial nerve that innervate the intrinsic muscles of the foot

Answer 32

Medial and lateral plantar nerve

Question 33

What are the 2 terminal branches of the posterior tibial artery which supply the foot

Answer 33

Medial and lateral plantar artery

Question 34

Function of foot arches (2)

Answer 34

Distribute body weight | Absorb shock

Question 35

Function of the plantar calcaneonavicular ligament (spring ligament)

Answer 35

Maintains the medial longitudinal arch

Question 36

Integrity of the foot arches are maintained by what passive factors (4)

Answer 36

Shape of the foot bones Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament (spring ligament) Long plantar ligament Short plantar ligament

Question 37

Integrity of the foot arches are maintained by what dynamic factors (3)

Answer 37

Intrinsic muscles of foot Long flexor tendons Tendon of tibialis anterior and fibularis longus

Question 38

Dysfunction of the passive and dynamic factors maintaining the foot arches can result in

Answer 38

Flat feet (pet planus) - common in older people