Note: The lower limb is colloquially referred to as the leg, but anatomically, the thigh is the region of the lower limb occupied by the femur, and the leg (or, crus) is occupied by the tibia and fibula. Therefore, the deep fascia of the thigh is called fascia lata, which is continuous with the deep fascia of the leg (crural fascia). The fascia lata thickens over the lateral portion of the thigh to form the iliotibial (IT) tract (band).
Find these structures:
Anterior thigh muscles
Sartorius m.
Iliopsoas m.
Quadriceps femoris m. [rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, intermedius, & medialis]
Tensor fasciae latae
Femoral n.
Femoral a.
Deep artery of thigh (profunda femoris a., deep femoral a.)
Femoral v.
Deep vein of thigh (profunda femoris v., deep femoral v.)
Note: Quadriceps femoris m. is actually a group of four muscles: rectus femoris m. (superficial & intermediate), vastus lateralis m. (lateral), vastus medialis m. (medial), and vastus intermedius m. (deep & intermediate).
Note: The boundaries of the femoral triangle are: inguinal ligament (superior), medial border of sartorius m. (lateral), and medial border of adductor longus m. (medial). The neurovasculature is organized within the triangle from medial to lateral: femoral Vein, Artery, and Nerve (VAN).
Note: The femoral a. is the continuation of the external iliac a., and the femoral v. drains into the external iliac v. The femoral n. (L2-L4) is a branch of the lumbar plexus.
Find these structures:
Adductor longus m.
Adductor magnus m.
Gracilis m.
Obturator n. (medial thigh compartment)
Find these structures:
Anterior compartment of leg
Tibialis anterior m.
Extensor hallucis longus m.
Extensor digitorum longus m.
Deep fibular (peroneal) n.
Anterior tibial a. & vv.
Lateral compartment of leg
Fibularis longus m.
Fibularis brevis m.
Superficial fibular (peroneal) n.
Note: The deep fibular n. is a branch of the common fibular n. The anterior tibial a. is a branch of the popliteal a.
Note: The common fibular n. is the smaller, terminal branches of the sciatic n. The superficial fibular n. is a branch of the common fibular n. (one of the terminal branches of the sciatic n.).
Find these structures:
Gluteus maximus m.
Gluteus medius m.
Find these structures:
Biceps femoris m.
Semimembranosus m.
Semitendinosus m.
Sciatic n.
Deep artery of thigh
Deep vein of thigh
Note: The deep artery of the thigh is the largest caliber branch of the femoral a. This artery gives off 3-4 perforating arteries, and supplies most structures of the thigh.
Note: The deep vein of the thigh is formed by the perforating tributaries of the thigh and drains into the femoral vein, inferior to the inguinal ligament.
Find these structures:
Hamstring mm. tendons
Popliteal a. & vv.
Tibial n.
Common fibular (peroneal) n.
Gastrocnemius m.
Note: Boundaries of the popliteal fossa:
Hamstring mm. tendons (superomedial and superolateral)
Gastrocnemius m. heads (inferomedial and inferolateral)
Note: The neurovascular structures are organized in the popliteal fossa from superficial to deep:
Cutaneous nn. and superficial vv.
Bifurcation of sciatic n.
Tibial n. (medial)
Common fibular n. (lateral)
Popliteal v.
Popliteal a.
Find these structures:
Triceps surae m.
Gastrocnemius m.
Soleus m.
Calcaneal (Achilles) tendon
Deep layer of posterior compartment of leg
Posterior tibial a. & vv.
Tibial n.
Note: The calcaneal (Achilles) tendon is the shared tendon of the gastrocnemius and soleus mm. It is wider proximally, but thickens distally. It attaches to the calcaneal tuberosity of the calcaneus.