Comprehensive Guide to Muscles, Arteries, Veins, and Innervation of the Lower Limb

Posted on Sep 1, 2024 in Physical Education

Muscles of the Hip and Thigh

Gluteal Region

  • Gluteus Medius and Minimus: Abducts and medially rotates the thigh, and keeps the pelvis level when the opposite leg is raised.
  • Piriformis, Obturator Internus, Gemellus (Superior and Inferior), Quadratus Femoris: Laterally rotate the extended thigh and abduct the flexed thigh; further stabilize the femoral head in the acetabulum.

Anterior Thigh

  • Pectineus, Iliopsoas, Tensor Fascia Lata, Sartorius, Quadriceps Femoris (Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, Vastus Intermedius): Primarily responsible for hip flexion and knee extension.

Medial Thigh

  • Adductor Longus and Brevis: Adduction, flexion, extension, and external rotation of the hip.
  • Adductor Magnus: Adducts and extends the hip.
  • Gracilis: Flexes the leg and thigh; adducts the thigh.

Posterior Thigh (Hamstrings)

  • Semitendinosus: Acts on both the hip and knee joints; extends the hip, flexes the knee, and medially rotates the leg.
  • Semimembranosus: Extends the hip, flexes the knee, and medially rotates the leg.
  • Biceps Femoris: Flexes the knee and laterally rotates the leg; also extends the hip.

Arterial Supply of the Lower Limb

  • Femoral Artery: Gives rise to the inferior epigastric, superficial iliac circumflex, and external pudendal arteries (superficial and deep).
  • Deep Femoral Artery: Supplies the proximal femur and the medial and posterior compartments of the thigh.
  • Obturator Artery: The anterior branch supplies the external obturator, pectineus, gracilis, and adductors of the thigh. The posterior branch supplies the muscles of the ischial tuberosity.
  • Gluteal Arteries: The inferior gluteal artery supplies the gluteus maximus and transmits the artery to the sciatic nerve. The superior gluteal artery supplies the gluteus medius and minimus.
  • Internal Pudendal Artery: Supplies the external genitalia and perineal muscles.
  • Popliteal Artery: Delivers superior and inferior genicular branches, supplying the lateral and medial aspects of the knee.
  • Anterior Tibial Artery: Supplies the anterior compartment of the leg, giving branches to the medial malleolus and dorsum of the foot.
  • Posterior Tibial Artery: Supplies the posterior compartment of the leg, giving branches to the medial malleolus and plantar region of the foot.
  • Peroneal Artery: Supplies the lateral compartment of the leg.
  • Dorsal Pedal Artery: Branches into the medial and lateral plantar arteries, supplying the plantar aspect of the foot (metatarsals and digits).

Venous Drainage of the Lower Limb

Superficial Veins

  • Great Saphenous Vein: Ascend along the medial aspect of the leg.
  • Small Saphenous Vein: Ascend along the lateral aspect of the leg.

Deep Veins

  • Deep Peroneal, Posterior Tibial, Popliteal, Femoral, Deep Femoral Veins: Generally accompany their corresponding arteries.

Lymphatic Drainage of the Lower Limb

Superficial Lymphatics

  • Accompany the saphenous veins.
  • Major lymph nodes: Superficial and deep inguinal nodes, iliac nodes.
  • Minor lymph nodes: Popliteal nodes.

Deep Lymphatics

  • Major lymph nodes: Popliteal nodes, deep inguinal nodes, external iliac nodes.

Innervation of the Lower Limb

Lumbar Plexus

  • Iliohypogastric Nerve
  • Ilioinguinal Nerve
  • Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve
  • Femoral Nerve
  • Genitofemoral Nerve
  • Obturator Nerve

Sacral Plexus

  • Superior Gluteal Nerve
  • Inferior Gluteal Nerve
  • Posterior Femoral Cutaneous Nerve
  • Sciatic Nerve: Tibial Nerve, Common Peroneal Nerve (Superficial and Deep Peroneal Nerves), Pudendal Nerve

Muscles of the Leg

Anterior Compartment

  • Tibialis Anterior: Dorsiflexes the ankle and inverts the foot.
  • Extensor Hallucis Longus: Extends the big toe and assists in ankle dorsiflexion.
  • Extensor Digitorum Longus: Extends the lateral four toes and assists in ankle dorsiflexion.
  • Peroneus Tertius: Assists in ankle dorsiflexion and foot eversion.

Posterior Compartment: Superficial

  • Gastrocnemius: Plantarflexes the ankle and flexes the knee.
  • Soleus: Plantarflexes the ankle and stabilizes the leg on the foot during standing.
  • Plantaris: Weakly assists gastrocnemius in ankle plantarflexion and knee flexion.

Posterior Compartment: Deep

  • Popliteus: Weakly flexes the knee and unlocks it from extension.
  • Flexor Hallucis Longus: Flexes all joints of the big toe and weakly plantarflexes the ankle; supports the longitudinal arch of the foot.
  • Flexor Digitorum Longus: Flexes the lateral four toes and plantarflexes the ankle; supports the longitudinal arch of the foot.
  • Tibialis Posterior: Plantarflexes and inverts the foot.

Lateral Compartment

  • Peroneus Longus: Everts the foot and weakly plantarflexes the ankle.
  • Peroneus Brevis: Everts the foot and weakly plantarflexes the ankle.