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Nerves, Arteries, and Veins

Terms in this set (23)

Which ventral rami come together to form the femoral nerve?
- L2, L3, and L4
- Do not join until they reach the iliacus
The Lumbar plexus is formed by which ventral rami?
- L1, L2, L3, L4 and sometimes T12 contributes (subcostal nerve)
- Formed within the substance of the psoas major muscle
Lumbar Plexus specific nerves (there is 6 of them)
- Iliohypogastric *L1*, Passes across the QL, anterior to the kidney. Motor to ABD muscles and cutaneous innervation to the UPPER MEDIAL THIGH
- Ilioinguinal *L1* Passes the QL inferior to the Iliohypogastric nerve. Motor to ABD muscles and cutaneous innervation to the pubic region
- Genitofemoral nerve *L1 and L2* Emerges from the anterior surface of the psoas major; genital branch; femoral branch which supplies skin of the upper thigh
- Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh *L2 and L3* Emerges from the lateral border of the psoas major; passes across the iliacus muscle and cutaneous innervation to ant. and lateral thigh
- Obturator nerve *L2, L3, and L4* Emerges from the medial side of the psoas major; innervates muscles (ADDuctors) of the medial thigh
- Femoral nerve *L2, L3, and L4* Emerges from the lateral side of the psoas major, innervates muscles in the anterior thigh and cutaneous innervation to the anterior thigh
Which two nerves in the lumbar plexus arise as a single trunk from L1 and typically divide into the two nerves after emerging from the lateral border of the psoas major?
- Iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal
Pathway of artery from aorta to after it passes under the inguinal ligament
Aorta -> Right and left common iliac arteries -> right and left internal and external iliac arteries

Internal iliac arteries -> supply structures in the pelvis and gluteal region (Superior/inferior gluteal arteries)
External iliac arteries -> Right and left femoral arteries after passing under the inguinal ligament
Pathway of veins from Femoral veins to inferior vena cava:
Right and left femoral veins -> external iliac veins -> Right and left external and internal iliac veins unite -> common iliac veins which unite -> Inferior vena cava
Femoral Artery: Branches
- Deep artery of the thigh (profunda femoris) - blood supply to the posterior thigh via perforating branches, lateral circumflex femoral artery, medial circumflex femoral artery(important blood supply to the hip)

**Femoral artery passes through adductor hiatus (opening in the adductor magnus tendon) and BECOMES THE POPLITEAL ARTERY
Adductor Canal
- Intermuscular passageway extending from apex of the femoral triangle to the adductor hiatus, an opening in the adductor magnus tendon
- The roof is the sartorius muscle, the floor is the adductor longus and adductor magnus muscles, the lateral wall is the vastus medialis
- Contents: Femoral artery, femoral vein and saphenous nerve (saphenous nerve does NOT go through the adductor hiatus)
Sacral Plexus: Where it is formed and which ventral make contribute?
- Formed in the pelvis in relation to the anterior surface of the piriformis
- L4, L5 (lumbosacral trunk), S1, S2, S3, S4
Sacral Plexus Nerves (There are 6)
- Superior gluteal nerve *L4, L5, S1* (Passes superior to the piriformis)
- Inferior gluteal nerve *L5, S1, S2* (Passes inferior to the piriformis)
- Nerve to obturator internus *L5, S1, S2*
- Nerve to quadratus femoris *L4, L5, S1*
- Sciatic nerve *L4, L5, S1, S2, S3* (Passes inferior to the piriformis; largest nerve in the body; two divisions which are the tibial and common fibular(peroneal))
- Posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh *S1, S2, S3, S4* (Exits greater sciatic foramen medial to the sciatic nerve; innervates the largest portion of the body)
Branches of the internal iliac artery
- Superior gluteal artery
- Inferior gluteal artery
Blood supply to the posterior thigh?
- Perforating branches that arise from deep femoral artery (profunda femoris artery) and pass through openings in the adductor magnus muscle to reach the posterior thigh
Popliteal fossa contains:
- Popliteal artery
- Popliteal vein
- Tibial nerve
- Common fibular (peroneal) nerve
Blood supply to the hip joint:
- Branches of the obturator artery
- Medial circumflex femoral artery (most important for blood supply to the hip)
- Lateral circumflex femoral artery
- Superior and inferior gluteal arteries
- First perforating branch
Total hip replacement:
Acetabulum is replaced too
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