Identify the following muscles and neurovasculature structures of the anterior thigh compartment, medial thigh compartment and gluteal region:
Click the structure name below to view on the virtual cadaver.
Ensure that you review how the muscles attach to bony landmarks as indicated in lecture.
MUSCLES
Anterior compartment of the thigh:
- Sartorius
- Iliopsoas (combination of two muscles called iliacus and psoas)
- Quadriceps femoris: made of 4 separate muscles
- Rectus femoris
- Vastus lateralis
- Vastus intermedius (is not visible superficially but can be identified deep to rectus femoris)
- Vastus medialis
Note that the 4 muscles that make up quadriceps femoris muscle combine their tendons to form the quadriceps femoris tendon and when it continues to attach between the patella and tibial tuberosity it is then known as the patellar ligament.
Medial compartment of the thigh:
Gluteal region:
- Tensor fascia latae
- Iliotibial tract (iliotibial band). The iliotibial tract is a thickening of the fascia lata
- Gluteus maximus
- Gluteus medius
- Gluteus minimus
- Piriformis
ARTERIES & VEINS
- Femoral artery
- Deep artery of the thigh (profunda femoris/deep femoral artery)
- Medial circumflex femoral artery
- Lateral circumflex femoral artery
- Superior gluteal artery
- Inferior gluteal artery
- Femoral vein
- Great saphenous vein
NERVES
ANATOMICAL SPACES
Femoral triangle and its contents —
Borders of the femoral triangle:
Superior border: inguinal ligament
Lateral border: sartorius
Medial border: adductor longus
Neurovasculature contents of the femoral triangle:
Femoral nerve
Femoral artery
Femoral vein
Adductor canal begins at the apex of the femoral triangle, runs deep to the sartorious muscle, and ends at the adductor hiatus (formed by an opening in the adductor magnus muscle): SEE IMAGES BELOW
Review structures of the anterior and medial thigh on real cadaver in this video (Time: 10 mins 48 secs)