30. Topography of the lower limb – Femoral triangle, adductor canal, popliteal fossa, cruropop-liteus canal, superior and inferior musculoperoneal canal.

Introduction

(for both gluteal & thigh regions)

Obturator Canal:

The obturator canal is formed in the area of the obturator groove where the obtura-tor foramen is not fully covered by the obturator membrane. The obturator nerve and vessels pass through this canal.

Anterior view of right half of the pelvis

1. 1 Obturator canal

Content:

1. 1.1 Obturator nerve
2. 1.2 Obturatory artery and veins

Boundaries:

1. Upper Boundary:

• Plica inguinalis (inguinal fold): Separates the thigh from the abdominal wall.
• Sulcus glutealis: Separates the thigh from the gluteal region.

2. Lower Boundary:

• Circular line: Approximately two fingers' width proximal to the upper border of the patella.

Divisions:

• Fascia lata (deep fascia), completely envelops the muscles of thigh.
• Gives 3 intermuscular septa penetrate btw. muscle groups, & divide the thigh into:

1. Ant. Region
2. Post. Region
3. Medial. Region.
4. 1 Anterior compartment of thigh (compartimentum femoris anterius)

• contains the anterior group of thigh muscles

1. 1.1 Femoral nerve – branches in the iliopectineal fossa
2. 1.1.1 Saphenous nerve – the terminal branch of the femoral nerve

• travels with the femoral atery and vein through the adductor canal
• reaches the subcutaneous tissue after passing through the vasto-adductor membrane

1. 1.2 Femoral artery – - gives off most of its branches within the iliopectineal fossa

• travels through the adductor canal and adductor hiatus to reach the popliteal fossa

1. 1.2.1 Profunda femoris artery (deep artery of thigh)

• runs between the muscles of the medial thigh

1. 1.3 Femoral vein – the continuation of the popliteal vein after passing through the adductor hiatus

• passes through the adductor canal
• joins the profunda femoris vein in the iliopectineal fossa to form the common femoral vein, which receives the great saphenous vein

1. 1.3.1 Great saphenous vein – runs in the subcutaneous tissue on the medial side of the thigh
2. 2 Posterior compartment of thigh (compartimentum femoris posterius)

• contains the posterior group of thigh muscles

1. 2.1 Sciatic nerve – courses between the posterior thigh muscles to reach the popliteal fossa, where it bifurcates (in most cases)
2. 2.2 Posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh – runs in the subcutaneous tissue (in the distal part it runs with the cranial extension of the small saphenous vein)
3. 3 Medial compartment of thigh (compartimentum femoris mediale)

• contains the medial group of thigh muscles

1. 3.1 Obturator nerve, artery and veins – supply the proximal part of the medial side of the thigh