6) Describe the pathogenesis of the Baker’s cyst and the prepatellar bursitis
Prepatellar bursitis: Fluid filled bursa protrusion on the front of the patella from working on your
knees a lot (e.g. kneeling for gardening work)
Baker’s cyst: Popliteal cyst, so protrusion of capsule of knee joint, posteriorly. Check for a pulse
to make sure it isn’t a popliteal aneurysm.
10) Describe the borders of the femoral canal and the symptoms of the femoral hernia
The femoral canal goes from the inguinal region to the femoral triangle. The femoral sheath
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Gross Anatomy Forum Lower Limb
covers the triangle except for the saphenous hiatus. Bowel would travel through the femoral ring
and out the saphenous hiatus. The femoral hernia would show a bulge below the inguinal
line/ligament and is more common in women.
12) Describe the course of the saphenous nerve and the descending genicular artery
The saphenous nerve is a cutaneous posterior branch of the femoral nerve, which runs through
the adductor canal and pierces the vastoadductor membrane as it is leaving the canal. It runs
inferiorly and medially where it passes between the tendons of sartorius and gracilis. It then runs
inferior down the medial side of the leg in company with the great saphenous vein. It passes in
front of the medial malleolus and along the medial border of the foot, where it terminates in the
region of the ball of the big toe.
The descending genicular artery runs in the adductor canal with the femoral artery. It perforates
the vastoadductor membrane, leaving the adductor canal and descends on the medial side of the
knee passing between the sartorius and gracilis to the knee.
The small saphenous vein arises from the lateral part of the dorsal venous arch and runs
behind/posterior to the lateral malleolus. It continues superiorly on the lateral side and up the
middle of the posterior side of the leg where it runs between the two heads of the gastrocnemius
muscle at the lower part of the politeal fossa, draining into the popliteal vein.
14) Describe the anatomy of the lesser and greater sciatic foramina
The greater sciatic foramen is formed by the greater sciatic notch of the hipbone and the
sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments. It provides an exit from the pelvis into the gluteal
region. It contains:
Piriformis
Sciatic nerve
Posterior cutanous nerve of the thigh
Superior and inferior gluteal nerves
Nerves of the obturator internus and quadratus femoris
Pudendal nerve
Superior and inferior gluteal arteries and veins
Internal pudendal artery and vein
The lesser sciatic foramen is formed by the lesser sciatic notch of the hipbone and the
sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments. It provides an enterance into the perineum from the
gluteal region. It contains:
Tendon of the obturator internus muscle
Nerve to obturator internus
Pudendal nerve
Internal pudendal artery and vein
16) Describe the arterial supply of the femoral head and the possible fracture sites