Topographical Anatomy of the Back - Listed Alphabetically
|
| Structure/Space |
Description/Boundaries |
Significance |
| external occipital protuberance |
a bump located in the midline on the posterior surface of the occipital
bone |
the medial ends of the superior nuchal lines meet at the external occipital protuberance; the ligamentum nuchae attaches here (Latin, occiput = the back of the head) |
| lumbar triangle |
a triangle defined by the border of the latissimus dorsi m. medially, the
external abdominal oblique m. laterally and the iliac crest inferiorly; its
floor is the internal abdominal oblique m. |
lumbar triangle may be the site of an abdominal hernia; also known as: triangle
of Petit |
| natal cleft |
midline cleft between the buttocks |
natal cleft lies between the gluteus maximus muscles |
| paravertebral line |
an imaginary line located lateral to the midline on the posterior surface of
the body, parallel to the vertebral column |
paravertebral line is used as a descriptive landmark |
| quadrangular space |
an area on the posterior surface of the back bounded by the teres minor m. superiorly, the teres major m. inferiorly,
the long head of the triceps brachii m. medially and the humerus laterally |
the axillary n. and the posterior circumflex humeral a. pass through this
space |
| triangle of auscultation |
a triangle located below the inferior angle of the scapula bounded by the
trapezius m. medially, rhomboideus major m. superiorly and the latissimus dorsi
m. inferiorly; its floor is the posterior thoracic wall |
triangle of auscultation is used to listen to (auscultate) the lungs because
the stethoscope can be placed close to the thoracic wall at this location |
| triangular interval |
the interval between the teres major m. superiorly, long head of the triceps
brachii m. medially and humerus laterally |
the radial n. passes through this interval to get from the axilla to the
posterior surface of the humerus |
| triangular space |
the space bounded by the teres minor m. superiorly, the teres major m. inferiorly
and the long head of the triceps brachii m. laterally |
the circumflex scapular vessels are located in this space as they pass from
the axilla to the dorsum of the scapula |
| vertebra prominens |
the C7 vertebra, so named because its spine is easily seen and palpated |
vertebra prominens is an easily palpable landmark which indicates the level
of transition from cervical to thoracic vertebra |
| vertebral furrow |
midline furrow down the back |
surface landmark that indicates the location of the vertebral spines; the
erector spinae muscle masses lie on either side of it |
Topographical Anatomy of the Upper Limb - Listed Alphabetically
|
| Structure/Space |
Description/Boundaries |
Significance |
| adductor/interosseous compartment |
a compartment in the hand bounded on its palmar surface by the fascia covering
adductor pollicis m. and interosseous mm., and on its dorsal surface by the
interosseous fascia |
adductor/interosseous compartment contains the metacarpal bones, the adductor pollicis m. and the palmar & dorsal interosseous mm. (Latin, inter = between + os = bone) |
| anterior (flexor) compartment of the arm |
compartment bounded at its posterior extent by the medial and lateral intermuscular
septa and the humerus; it is bounded anteriorly, laterally and medially by
the brachial fascia |
anterior compartment of the arm contains flexor muscles of the arm (biceps
brachii m., coracobrachialis m., brachialis m.) which are innervated by the
musculocutaneous nerve |
| anterior (flexor) compartment of the forearm |
compartment bounded at its posterior extent by the medial and lateral intermuscular
septa, the radius, the ulna and the interosseous membrane; it is bounded anteriorly,
laterally and medially by the antebrachial fascia |
anterior compartment of the forearm contains flexor muscles of the hand
(superficially - pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor
carpi ulnaris; intermediate layer - flexor digitorum superficialis; deep layer
- flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus, pronator quadratus);
it also contains the median n., ulnar n. and ulnar a. |
| anterior axillary fold |
a fold of skin and muscle with the pectoralis major m. as its muscular component |
axillary tail of the mammary gland courses along the anterior axillary fold |
| axilla |
fat-filled space located lateral to the thoracic wall and anterior to the
scapula; it is bounded: superiorly by the clavicle, scapula and 1st rib; inferiorly
by the axillary fascia; anteriorly by the pectoralis major and minor mm.; posteriorly
by the subscapularis m.; laterally by the humerus; medially by the serratus
anterior m. and thoracic wall |
axilla contains the infraclavicular part of the brachial plexus (divisions,
cords and terminal branches), the axillary a. and v. and the axillary lymph
nodes |
| carpal tunnel |
an osseofibrous tunnel in the hand formed by the flexor retinaculum and
the carpal bones |
carpal tunnel contains the tendons of the flexors of the digits (flexor
pollicis longus m., flexor digitorum superficialis m. flexor digitorum profundus
m.) and the median nerve which may be compressed in this location resulting
in carpal tunnel syndrome |
| cubital fossa |
a shallow depression on the anterior surface of the elbow region; it is
bounded superiorly by and imaginary line between the humeral epicondyles, medially
by the lateral border of the pronator teres m. and laterally by the medial
border of the brachioradialis m. |
the median cubital v. crosses this region and is a site for phlebotomy |
| deltopectoral triangle |
a triangle in the upper chest region that is bounded medially by the clavicle,
superiorly by the deltoid m. and inferiorly by the pectoralis major m. |
deltopectoral triangle is pierced by the cephalic vein on its course from
the upper limb to join the axillary vein in the axilla |
| hypothenar compartment |
compartment in the hand bounded by the fascia covering the intrinsic muscles
of 5th digit |
hypothenar compartment contains the short muscles of the 5th digit: (abductor
digiti minimi m., flexor digiti minimi brevis m., opponens digiti minimi m.) |
| midpalmar space |
a space in the palm bounded by: hypothenar fascia medially and the septum
attaching the palmar aponeurosis to the third metacarpal bone laterally; palmar
aponeurosis superficially and fascia of the interosseous mm. deeply |
midpalmar space may cause infections to become localized in the palm |
| posterior (extensor) compartment of the arm |
compartment bounded at its anterior extent by the medial and lateral intermuscular
septa and humerus; it is bounded posteriorly, laterally and medially by the
brachial fascia |
posterior compartment of the arm contains the extensor muscles of the elbow
(triceps brachii m., anconeus m.), the radial n.and the deep brachial a. |
| posterior (extensor) compartment of the forearm |
compartment bounded at its anterior extent by the medial and lateral intermuscular
septa, the radius, the ulna and the interosseous membrane; it is bounded posteriorly,
laterally and medially by the antebrachial fascia |
posterior compartment of the forearm contains extensor muscles of the hand
and wrist (superficial group - brachioradialis m., extensor carpi radialis
longus m., extensor carpi radialis brevis m., extensor digitorum m., extensor
digiti minimi m., extensor carpi ulnaris m.; deep group - supinator m., abductor
pollicis longus m., extensor pollicis brevis m., extensor pollicis longus m.,
extensor indicis m.); it contains the superficial and deep radial nn., the
posterior interosseous artery and the radial artery |
| posterior axillary fold |
a fold of skin and muscle with the teres major and latissimus dorsi mm.
as the muscular components |
the posterior extent of the floor of the axilla |
| quadrangular space |
the space bounded by the teres minor m. superiorly, the teres major m. inferiorly,
the long head of the triceps brachii m. medially and the humerus laterally |
the axillary n. and the posterior circumflex humeral a. pass through this
space |
| thenar compartment |
compartment in the hand bounded by the fascia covering the intrinsic muscles
of the thumb |
thenar compartment contains the short muscles of the thumb (abductor pollicis brevis m., flexor pollicis brevis m., opponens pollicis m.) and the tendon of the flexor pollicis longus m. (Greek, thenar = the palm of the hand) |
| triangular space |
the space bounded by the teres minor m. superiorly, the teres major m. inferiorly
and the long head of the triceps brachii m. laterally |
the circumflex scapular vessels are located in this space as they pass from
the axilla to the dorsum of the scapula |
Topographical Anatomy of the Head & Neck - Listed Alphabetically
|
| Structure/Space |
Description/Boundaries |
Significance |
| carotid triangle |
boundaries: anterior - superior belly of the omohyoid m.; posterior - sternocleidomastoid
m.; superior - posterior belly of the digastric m.; |
the carotid artery branches here |
| cervical triangle, anterior |
boundaries: medial - midline; lateral - anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid
m.; superior - lower border of the mandible |
anterior cervical triangle may be subdivided into the carotid triangle and
the muscular triangle |
| cervical triangle, posterior |
boundaries: anterior - sternocleidomastoid m.; posterior - trapezius m.;
inferior - middle 1/3 of the clavicle |
posterior cervical triangle may be subdivided by the inferior belly of the
omohyoid m. to form an omoclavicular triangle; the external jugular vein crosses
the posterior cervical triangle |
| cranial fossa, anterior |
boundaries: anterior - inner surface of the frontal bone; posterior - posterior
edge of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone |
frontal lobes of the brain are located within the anterior cranial fossa;
cranial nerve I exits the cranial cavity here |
| cranial fossa, middle |
boundaries: anterior - posterior edge of the lesser wing of the sphenoid
bone; posterior - petrous ridge of the temporal bone |
temporal lobes of the brain and pituitary gland are located within the middle
cranial fossa; cranial nerves II, III, IV, V and VI exit the cranial cavity
here |
| cranial fossa, posterior |
boundaries: anterior - petrous ridge of the temporal bone; posterior - inner
surface of the occipital bone |
cerebellum and brainstem are located within the posterior cranial fossa;
cranial nerves VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII exit the cranial cavity here |
| infratemporal fossa |
area medial to the angle of the mandible bounded above by the infratemporal
surface of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, anteriorly by the alveolar
border of the maxilla, laterally by the ramus of the mandible and deeply by
the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone |
infratemporal fossa has the foramen rotundum and foramen spinosum in its
roof; maxillary a. and its branches are located here; branches of the mandibular
division of the trigeminal nerve (V3) are located here |
| muscular triangle |
boundaries: medial - midline; superior - body of the hyoid bone; superolateral
- superior belly of the omohyoid m.; inferolateral - sternocleidomastoid m. |
muscular triangle contains the strap muscles of the neck; larynx and thyroid
gland lie deep to the strap muscles |
| omoclavicular triangle |
boundaries: superior - inferior belly of the omohyoid m.; anterior - sternocleidomastoid
m.; inferior - middle 1/3 of the clavicle |
the external jugular vein courses deeply through the omoclavicular triangle |
| submandibular triangle |
boundaries: anterior - anterior belly of the digastric m.; posterior - posterior
belly of the digastric m.; superior - lower border of mandible |
submandibular triangle contains the submandibular gland |
| submental triangle |
boundaries: lateral - anterior belly of the digastric m.; medial - midline;
inferior - body of the hyoid bone |
submental triangle contains the submental a. and v. |
| temporal fossa |
area on the lateral surface of the skull bounded above by the temporal lines,
anteriorly by the frontal and zygomatic bones and inferiorly by the zygomatic
arch; it is bounded deeply by the frontal, parietal and temporal bones and
the greater wing of the sphenoid bone |
the temporalis m. nearly fills the temporal fossa |
Topographical Anatomy of the Thorax - Listed Alphabetically
|
| Structure/Space |
Description/Boundaries |
Significance |
| mediastinum, anterior |
between sternum and pericardial sac; extends from thoracic inlet to diaphragm |
contains sternopericardial ligaments & lymph nodes (Latin, medius = middle + stare = to stand, thus that area which stands in the middle of the thorax) |
| mediastinum, middle |
bounded by pericaridal sac |
contains heart, pericardial cavity, great vessels, and phrenic nerves (Latin, medius = middle + stare = to stand, thus that area which stands in the middle of the thorax) |
| mediastinum, posterior |
between pericaridal sac and vertebral bodies |
contains esophagus, descending thoracic aorta, azygos system, thoracic duct, and lymph nodes (Latin, medius = middle + stare = to stand, thus that area which stands in the middle of the thorax) |
| mediastinum, superior |
bounded by thoracic inlet above and plane through sternal angle below |
contains great vessels, trachea, esophagus, phrenic and vagus nerves (Latin, medius = middle + stare = to stand, thus that area which stands in the middle of the thorax) |
| midaxillary line |
an imaginary vertical line passing through the middle of the axilla |
used as a surface landmark for descriptive purposes |
| midclavicular line |
an imaginary vertical line passing through the midshaft of the clavicle |
used as a surface landmark for descriptive purposes |
| nipple |
located superficial to the 4th intercostal space in the male and prepuberal
female |
location of the left nipple may be used to help locate the apex of heart,
which is approximately 8 cm from the midline in the left 5th intercostal space;
a surface landmark used to place the stethoscope for auscultation of the bicuspid
valve |
| sternal angle |
a protrusion on the anterior thoracic wall at the junction of the manubrium
and body of the sternum (manubriosternal symphysis) |
sternal angle is the location of the attachment of t the costal cartilage
of the 2nd rib to the sternum; an imaginary horizontal plane through the sternal
angle passes through the T4/T5 intervertebral disc and marks the inferior boundary
of the superior mediastinum |
| suprasternal notch |
the notch located at the superior border of the manubrium of the sternum,
between the sternal ends of the clavicles |
also known as: jugular notch |
| thoracic inlet |
the opening at the superior end of the rib cage through which cervical structures
enter the thorax; bounded by the T1 vertebral body, both of the 1st ribs and
their costal cartilages, and the manubrium of the sternum |
thoracic inlet marks the boundary between the neck and the superior mediastinum;
also known as: superior thoracic aperture |
| thoracic outlet |
the opening at the inferior end of the rib cage through which thoracic structures
exit the thorax; it is bounded by the T12 vertebral body, both 12th ribs, the
costal cartilages of ribs 7-12, and the xiphisternal joint |
thoracic outlet is closed by the respiratory diaphragm which is attached
at its boundary; also known as: inferior thoracic aperture |
Topographical Anatomy of the Abdomen - Listed Alphabetically
|
| Structure/Space |
Description/Boundaries |
Significance |
| arcuate line |
anatomical feature on the inner surface of the abdominal wall; a fascial
line in the transverse plane approximately 1/2 of the distance from the umbilicus
to the pubic symphysis |
arcuate line is the point at which the posterior lamina of the rectus sheath ends and transversalis fascia lines the inner surface of the rectus abdominis m. (Latin, arcuate = bowed) |
| epigastric region |
an area on the anterior abdominal wall between the midclavicular lines,
superior to the transpyloric line |
one of 9 regions of the abdomen |
| hypochondriac region |
an area on the anterior abdominal wall lateral to the midclavicular line,
superior to the transpyloric line |
one of 9 regions of the abdomen; bilateral |
| hypogastric region |
an area on the anterior abdominal wall between the midclavicular lines,
inferior to the intertubercular line |
one of 9 regions of the abdomen; also known as: pubic region |
| inguinal region |
anterior abdominal wall lateral to midclavicular line, inferior to intertubercular
line |
one of 9 regions of the abdomen; also known as: iliac region |
| intercristal line |
an imaginary line drawn in the horizontal plane at the upper margin of the
iliac crests |
intercristal line locates the level of the L4 vertebra; a useful landmark in spinal tap procedure (Latin, inter = between + crista = crest) |
| intertubercular line |
an imaginary line drawn in the horizontal plane at the upper margin of the
iliac tubercles |
intertubercular line locates the level of the L5 vertebra; used with midinguinal
and transpyloric lines to divide the abdominal wall into 9 regions |
| linea alba |
anatomical feature on the midline of the anterior abdominal wall; an aponeurotic
band that extends from the xiphoid process to the pubic symphysis; |
linea alba is formed by the combined abdominal muscle aponeuroses; it is used for midline abdominal incisions to avoid major nerves or vessels (Latin, linea alba = white line) |
| lumbar region |
an area on the anterior abdominal wall lateral to the midclavicular line,
inferior to transpyloric line, superior to intertubercular line |
one of 9 regions of the abdomen; also known as: lateral region |
| McBurney's point |
a point on the anterior abdominal wall which is 1/3 of the distance along
a line from the right anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus |
McBurney's point is the approximate location of the vermiform appendix;
point of tenderness in appendicitis |
| midaxillary line |
an imaginary vertical line passing through the middle of the axilla |
used as a surface landmark for descriptive purposes |
| midclavicular line |
an imaginary vertical line passing through the midshaft of the clavicle |
used as a surface landmark for descriptive purposes |
| midinguinal line |
an imaginary vertical line passing through the midpoint of inguinal ligament |
used with the transpyloric and intertubercular lines to divide the abdomen
into 9 regions |
| quadrant, inferior left |
a region on the anterior abdominal wall defined by the midline and the transumbilical
line |
one of 4 abdominal quadrants |
| quadrant, inferior right |
a region on the anterior abdominal wall defined by the midline and the transumbilical
line |
one of 4 abdominal quadrants |
| quadrant, superior left |
a region on the anterior abdominal wall defined by the midline and the transumbilical
line |
one of 4 abdominal quadrants |
| quadrant, superior right |
a region on the anterior abdominal wall defined by the midline and the transumbilical
line |
one of 4 abdominal quadrants |
| semilunar line |
an anatomical feature of the anterior abdominal wall; the lateral edge of
the rectus abdominis m. |
semilunar line is formed by the fused aponeuroses of the abdominal wall
mm. at the lateral margin of the rectus sheath |
| transpyloric line |
an imaginary horizontal line 1/2 of the distance between the jugular notch
and the pubic crest |
transpyloric line is used with the midinguinal and intertubercular lines
to divide the abdominal wall into 9 regions; the fundus of the gall bladder
lies at the intersection of the transpyloric line with the right 9th costal
cartilage; the pylorus of the stomach is located at this plane; a horizontal
plane through the transpyloric line locates the level of the L1 vertebra |
| transumbilical line |
an imaginary horizontal line through the umbilicus |
transumbilical line is used with the midline to divide abdomen into 4 quadrants |
| transverse lines |
anatomical features in the anterior abdominal wall; folds in the anterior
abdominal wall (usually 3) |
transverse lines are creases that overlie the tendinous intersections in
the rectus abdominis m. |
| umbilical region |
a region on the anterior abdominal wall between the midclavicular lines,
inferior to the transpyloric line, superior to the intertubercular line |
one of 9 regions of the abdomen |
| umbilicus |
remnant of the attachment of the umbilical cord to the anterior abdominal
wall |
umbilicus marks the approximate level of the L3/L4 intervertebral disc in
non-obese individuals |
Topographical Anatomy of the Lower Limb - Listed Alphabetically
|
| Structure/Space |
Description/Boundaries |
Significance |
| adductor canal |
a musculo-fascial canal that contains the large neurovascular bundle of
the anterior thigh; its boundaries are: anterior - sartorius m.; lateral -
vastus medialis m.; posterior - adductor longus m. and adductor magnus m.;
it begins proximally at the inferior angle of the femoral triangle and ends
distally at the adductor hiatus |
adductor canal contains the femoral a. and v., the saphenous n. and the
nerve to the vastus medialis m.; also known as: Hunter's canal, subsartorial
canal |
| adductor hiatus |
an opening in the tendon of insertion of the adductor magnus m.; its boundaries
are: medial - portion of the tendon of adductor magnus that attaches to the
adductor tubercle, lateral - insertion of the adductor magnus into the linea
aspera, inferior - femur |
femoral a. and v. pass through the adductor hiatus to reach the posterior surface of the knee, where their name changes to popliteal a. and v. (Latin, hiatus = to yawn) |
| anterior compartment, leg |
a connective tissue compartment that contains muscles that dorsiflex the
ankle; its boundaries are: tibia, fibula, interosseous membrane, anterior intermuscular
septum |
anterior compartment of the leg contains the tibialis anterior m., extensor
hallucis longus m., extensor digitorum longus m., fibularis tertius m.; it
also contains the anterior tibial a. and the deep fibular n.; also known as:
extensor compartment of the leg |
| anterior compartment, thigh |
a connective tissue compartment that contains muscles that extend the knee;
its boundaries are: anterior and lateral - fascia lata of the thigh; posterior
; femur, medial intermuscular septum and lateral intermuscular septum |
anterior compartment of the thigh contains the quadriceps femoris m.and
sartorius m.; also known as extensor compartment of the thigh |
| fascia lata |
deep fascia forming a tubular investment of the thigh |
fascia lata is thickened laterally to form the iliotibial tract/band; it
is connected to the femur by the lateral and medial intermuscular septa which
divide the thigh into compartments; Scarpa's fascia attaches to the external
surface of the fascia lata inferior to the inguinal ligament |
| fascia, crural |
deep fascia forming a tubular investment of the leg |
crural fascia is continuous with the fascia lata at the level of the knee;
it is connected to the fibula by the anterior and posterior intermuscular septa;
crural fascia is thickened near the ankle to form the extensor and flexor retinacula |
| fascia, gluteal |
deep fascia covering gluteus medius m., it extends between the iliac crest
and superolateral border of the gluteus maximus m. |
also known as: gluteal aponeurosis |
| femoral canal |
a short diverticulum within the femoral sheath that extends distal to the
inguinal ligament on the medial side of the femoral vessels; its boundaries
are: medial - lacunar ligament; lateral - fascia on the femoral vein; anterior
- inguinal ligament; posterior - fascia on the pectineus m. |
femoral canal is the medial compartment of the femoral sheath; it opens
into the abdominal cavity superiorly at the femoral ring; it may be the site
of a femoral hernia; usually contains a deep inguinal lymph node (gland of
Cloquet) |
| femoral ring |
opening into the femoral canal; its boundaries are: medial - lacunar ligament,
lateral - fascia on the femoral vein, anterior - inguinal ligament, posterior
- fascia on the pectineus m. |
if a femoral hernia develops, the herniated gut passes through the femoral
ring |
| femoral triangle |
a musculo-fascial triangle on the anterior surface of the thigh; its boundaries
are: superior - inguinal ligament, lateral - sartorius m., medial - medial
edge of the adductor longus m. |
femoral triangle contains the femoral a., v. and n.; textbooks may disagree
on the medial boundary of this triangle |
| Hunter's canal |
a musculo-fascial canal that contains the large neurovascular bundle of
the anterior thigh; its boundaries are: anterior - sartorius m.; lateral -
vastus medialis m.; posterior - adductor longus m. and adductor magnus m.;
it begins proximally at the inferior angle of the femoral triangle and ends
distally at the adductor hiatus |
Hunter's canal contains the femoral a. and v., the saphenous n. and the
nerve to the vastus medialis m.; also known as: adductor canal, subsartorial
canal |
| lateral compartment , thigh |
a connective tissue compartment that contains the muscles of the gluteal
region; it is located posterolateral to the hip joint |
lateral compartment of the thigh contains: tensor fasciae latae m., gluteus
maximus m., gluteus medius m., gluteus minimis m., piriformis m., superior
and inferior gemellus mm., quadratus femoris m.; obturator internus tendon;
also known as: gluteal compartment of the thigh |
| lateral compartment, leg |
a connective tissue compartment that contains the muscles that evert the
ankle joint; its boundaries are: anterior, lateral and medial - crural fascia;
posterior - anterior and posterior intermuscular septa, fibula |
lateral compartment of the leg contains: fibularis longus m., fibularis
brevis m.; superficial fibular n.; also known as: evertor compartment of the
leg |
| medial compartment, thigh |
a connective tissue compartment that contains the muscles that adduct the
thigh; its boundaries are: anterior - medial intermuscular septum; posterior
- fascia between the medial and posterior compartments; medial - fascial lata;
lateral - femur |
medial compartment of the thigh contains: pectineus m., adductor longus
m., adductor brevis m., adductor magnus m., gracilis m., obturator externus
m.; also known as: adductor compartment of the thigh |
| popliteal fossa |
the shallow depression on the posterior surface of the knee; its boundaries
are: superomedial - tendons of semimembranosus and semitendinosus mm., superolateral
- tendon of biceps femoris m., inferior - medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius
m. |
popliteal fossa contains: popliteal a. and v. and their branches; tibial
n, common fibular n., popliteus m. |
| posterior compartment , leg |
a connective tissue compartment that contains the muscles that plantar flex
the ankle joint; its boundaries are: anterior - tibia, fibula and interosseous
membrane; lateral, medial and posterior - crural fascia |
posterior compartment of the leg contains: superficially - gastrocnemius
m., soleus m., plantaris m.; deeply - popliteus m., tibialis posterior m.,
flexor digitorum longus m., flexor hallucis longus m.; it also contains the
posterior tibial a. and v. and the tibial n. |
| posterior compartment, thigh |
a connective tissue compartment that contains the muscles that flex the
knee joint and extend the hip joint; its boundaries are: anterior - lateral
intermuscular septum, femur and fascia between the medial and posterior compartments;
lateral, medial and posterior - fascia lata |
posterior compartment of the thigh contains: semimembranosus m., semitendinosus
m., biceps femoris m.; sciatic nerve; also known as: hamstring compartment |
| saphenous hiatus |
an opening in the fascia lata located inferior to the inguinal ligament
and lateral to the pubic tubercle |
saphenous hiatus is the site of passage of the greater saphenous vein which joins the femoral vein; it is closed by the cribriform fascia (Latin, saphenous = clearly visible + hiatus = to yawn) |
| subsartorial canal |
a musculo-fascial canal that contains the large neurovascular bundle of
the anterior thigh; its boundaries are: anterior - sartorius m.; lateral -
vastus medialis m.; posterior - adductor longus m. and adductor magnus m.;
it begins proximally at the inferior angle of the femoral triangle and ends
distally at the adductor hiatus |
subsartorial canal contains the femoral a. and v., the saphenous n. and
the nerve to the vastus medialis m.; also known as: adductor canal, Hunter's
canal |
