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Anatomy Atlases: Atlas of Human Anatomy in Cross Section: Section 7. Lower Limb

Atlas of Human Anatomy in Cross Section: Section 7. Lower Limb

Plate 7.7

Ronald A. Bergman, Ph.D., Adel K. Afifi, M.D., Jean J. Jew, M.D., and Paul C. Reimann, B.S.
Peer Review Status: Externally Peer Reviewed


Plate 7.7

Upper Left Quadrant

Lower Left Quadrant

Lower Right Quadrant

Upper Right Quadrant

1. Tendon m. quadriceps femoris (quadriceps tendon)
2. Superior medial genicular a. and v.
3. Vastus medialis m.
4. Descending genicular a., musculoarticular br.

5. Superior medial genicular a.
6. Tendon m. adductor magnus
7. Sartorius m.
8. Great saphenous v.
9. Descending genicular a., saphenous br.
10. Tendon m. gracilis
11. Semimembranosus m.

12. Tendon m. semitendinosus
13. Popliteal v. and a.
14. Posterior femoral cutaneous nerve and small saphenous v.
15. Tibial nerve
16. Common peroneal nerve
17. Biceps femoris m.
18. Planum popliteum of femur (popliteal surface)

19. Iliotibial tract (Maissiat's band)
20. Lateral femoral circumflex a., descending br.
21. Vastus lateralis m.
22. Superior lateral genicular a. and v.
23. Suprapatellar bursa
24. Femur

This is the first section in the knee region. The suprapatellar bursa (23), which is continuous with the articular cavity (knee Joint), is seen. The femur (24) is cut in the supracondylar region. The vastus intermedius and articularis genu muscles are no longer present, but parts of vastus lateralis can be seen (21). Vastus medialis (3) is the largest muscle mass at this level, followed by biceps femoris (17). Note that semitendinosus (12) and gracilis are entirely tendinous.

The common peroneal (16) and tibial (15) nerves are seen closely associated with, and located between, biceps femoris (17) and the popliteal artery and vein (13).

Important elements of the blood supply of the knee Joint can be seen in this section. These arterial vessels are the superior lateral genicular (122); lateral femoral circumflex, descending branch (20); descending genicular, saphenous branch (9); superior medial genicular (2, 5); and the descending genicular, musculoarticular branch (4).

The deep articular plexus, around the knee joint, is formed by two medial and two lateral genicular branches of the popliteal, the descending genicular, the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex, the anterior and posterior tibial recurrent, the circumflex fibular, and the medial inferior genicular arteries.

The vastus lateralis (2 1), at this level, is supplied by the lateral femoral circumflex artery, descending branch (20); the vastus medialis (3) by the descending genicular artery, musculoarticular branch (4); and the sartorius (7) by the descending genicular artery, saphenous branch (9).

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