Topographical

Anatomy of
the Back Listed
Alphabeticall
y
Structure/Space

Description/Boundaries

Significance

external occipital
protuberance

a bump located in the midline on the the medial ends of the

posterior surface of the occipital
superior nuchal lines
bone
meet at the external
occipital
protuberance; the
ligamentum nuchae
attaches here

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

triangle of
auscultation is used to
listen to (auscultate)
the lungs because the
stethoscope can be

floor is the posterior thoracic wall

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
Alphabetica
lly
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.

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

carpal tunnel contains the

tendons of the flexors of the

retinaculum and the carpal

bones

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

the median cubital v. crosses
anterior surface of the elbow
this region and is a site for
region; it is bounded superiorly phlebotomy
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.

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

hypothenar compartment
bounded by the fascia covering contains the short muscles of
the intrinsic muscles of 5th digit 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: midpalmar space may cause

hypothenar fascia medially and infections to become
the septum attaching the palmar localized in the palm
aponeurosis to the third
metacarpal bone laterally;
palmar aponeurosis superficially
and fascia of the interosseous
mm. deeply

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 bounded at its

posterior compartment of the

compartment of the
forearm

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

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.

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
Alphabeticall
y
Structure/Space

Description/Boundaries

Significance

carotid triangle

boundaries: anterior - superior belly the carotid artery

of the omohyoid m.; posterior branches here
sternocleidomastoid m.; superior posterior belly of the digastric m.;

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 submandibular triangle

of the digastric m.; posterior contains the
posterior belly of the digastric m.;
submandibular gland
superior - lower border of mandible

submental triangle

boundaries: lateral - anterior belly

submental triangle
of the digastric m.; medial contains the submental
midline; inferior - body of the hyoid a. and v.
bone

temporal fossa

area on the lateral surface of the

the temporalis m.
skull bounded above by the
nearly fills the
temporal lines, anteriorly by the
temporal fossa
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

Topographical
Anatomy of
the Thorax Listed
Alphabeticall
y
Structure/Space

Description/Boundaries

Significance

midaxillary line

an imaginary vertical line passing used as a surface

through the middle of the axilla
landmark for descriptive
purposes

midclavicular line

an imaginary vertical line passing used as a surface

through the midshaft of the
landmark for descriptive
clavicle
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 also known as: jugular

border of the manubrium of the
notch
sternum, between the sternal ends
of the clavicles

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
Alphabeticall
y
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.

epigastric region

an area on the anterior

one of 9 regions of the
abdominal wall between the
abdomen
midclavicular lines, superior to
the transpyloric line

hypochondriac region

an area on the anterior

one of 9 regions of the

abdominal wall lateral to the

midclavicular line, superior to
the transpyloric line

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 one of 9 regions of the

to midclavicular line, inferior to abdomen; also known as:
intertubercular line
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

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

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

used as a surface landmark
passing through the midshaft of for descriptive purposes
the clavicle

midinguinal line

an imaginary vertical line

used with the transpyloric
passing through the midpoint of and intertubercular lines to
inguinal ligament
divide the abdomen into 9
regions

quadrant, left lower

a region on the anterior

abdominal wall defined by the
midline and the transumbilical
line

one of 4 abdominal
quadrants

quadrant, right lower

a region on the anterior

abdominal wall defined by the
midline and the transumbilical
line

one of 4 abdominal
quadrants

quadrant, left upper

a region on the anterior

abdominal wall defined by the
midline and the transumbilical
line

one of 4 abdominal
quadrants

quadrant, right upper

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

transverse lines are creases

anterior abdominal wall; folds

in the anterior abdominal wall
(usually 3)

that overlie the tendinous

intersections in the rectus
abdominis m.

umbilical region

a region on the anterior

one of 9 regions of the
abdominal wall between the
abdomen
midclavicular lines, inferior to
the transpyloric line, superior to
the intertubercular line

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 Pelvis &
Perineum Listed
Alphabeticall
y
Structure/Space

Description/Boundaries

Significance

anal triangle

posterior subdivision of the diamondshaped perineum; its boundaries are:

anteriorly - posterior margin of the
perineal membrane (corresponds to an
imaginary line connecting the ischial
tuberosities); posterolaterally sacrotuberous ligament

anal triangle is the

location of the
terminal end of the
gastrointestinal tract
(anus)

ischioanal fossa

a fat-filled space located lateral to the

anal canal and inferior to the pelvic
diaphragm; its boundaries are:
superomedially - pelvic diaphragm
(anterior recess extends superior to the
urogenital diaphragm); medially external anal sphincter muscle and
anal canal; laterally - obturator
internus fascia and ischial tuberosity;
posterolaterally - sacrotuberous

the fat and loose

connective tissue in
the ischioanal fossa
compresses to allow
passage of feces;
also known as:
ischiorectal fossa

ligament and gluteus maximus m.;

(posterior recess extends superior to
the gluteus maximus m.)
natal cleft

midline cleft between the buttocks

natal cleft lies

between the gluteus
maximus muscles

perineum

a diamond-shaped space forming the

outlet of the pelvis; its boundaries are:
anterolaterally - inferior pubic ramus,
ischial ramus and ischial tuberosity;
posterolaterally - sacrotuberous
ligament

perineum is
subdivided into the
anal triangle and
urogenital triangle
by an imaginary line
connecting the
ischial tuberosities

urogenital triangle

anterior subdivision of the diamondshaped perineum; its boundaries are:

anterolaterally - inferior pubic ramus,
ischial ramus; posteriorly - posterior
margin of perineal membrane
(corresponds to an imaginary line
connecting the ischial tuberosities)

urogenital triangle is
the location of the
terminal portion of
the urinary tract and
genital tract

Topographical
Anatomy of
the Lower
Limb Listed
Alphabetical
ly
Structure/Space
adductor canal

Description/Boundaries
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

Significance
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

distally at the adductor hiatus

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.

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

also known as: gluteal
medius m., it extends between the aponeurosis
iliac crest and superolateral border
of the gluteus maximus m.

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 ,

a connective tissue compartment

lateral compartment of the

thigh

that contains the muscles of the

gluteal region; it is located
posterolateral to the hip joint

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

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