Anatomy

Charts

Muscle Compartment Function Innervation Artery

Biceps brachii Anterior Flexes arm and forearm; supinates hand Musculocutaneous Brachial
Brachialis Anterior Flexes forearm Musculocutaneous Brachial
Coracobrachialis Anterior Flexes arm Musculocutaneous Brachial
Triceps brachii Posterior Extends arm and forearm Radial Deep brachial

Muscle Compartment Function Innervation Artery

Pronator teres Anterior Pronates hand Median Radial and ulnar
Flexor carpi radialis Flexes and abducts hand Median
Flexor carpi ulnaris Flexes and abducts hand Ulnar
Palmaris longus Flexes hand Median
Flexor digitorum superficialis Flexes hand; flexes MP, PIP Median
joints
Flexor pollicis longus Flexes thumb Median (anterior
interosseous)
Flexor digitorum profundus Flexes hand; flexes MP, PIP, Median (anterior
DIP joints interosseous) to medial
half; ulnar to ulnar half
Pronator quadratus Pronates hand Median (anterior
interosseous)
Extensor carpi ulnaris Posterior Extends and adducts hand Radial
Extensor carpi radialis longus Extends and abducts hand
and brevis
Extensor digitorum Extends hand and fingers
Extensor digiti minimi Extends little finger
Extensor indicis Extends index finger
Abductor pollicis longus Abducts thumb
Extensor pollicis longus Extends thumb
Extensor pollicis brevis Extends thumb
Supinator Supinates hand

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Muscle Layer Function Innervation

Abductor pollicis brevis Superficial Abducts thumb Median
Flexor pollicis brevis Flexes thumb
Opponens pollicis Opposes thumb
Abductor digiti minimi Abducts little finger Ulnar
Flexor digiti minimi Flexes little finger
Opponens digiti minimi Opposes little finger
Lumbricals 1-2 (lateral) Flexes MP joint; extends IP joints Median
Lumbricals 3-4 (medial) Flexes MP joint; extends IP joints Ulnar
Adductor pollicis Adducts thumb
Palmar interossei Deep Adducts fingers
Dorsal interossei Abducts fingers
MAIN BRANCHES OF BRACHIAL PLEXUS
Name Origin Spinal Function Path Lesions/Notes
segments
Musculocutaneous Lateral C5 to C7 Motor: all muscles in Terminal branch Not that common
cord the anterior of the lateral cord Deficits:
compartment of the and immediately -weakness of forearm flexion
arm enters the -weakness of hand supination
Sensory: skin on anterior -weakness of arm flexion
lateral side of compartment of -sensory loss on lateral forearm
forearm the arm and runs
between the
brachialis and
biceps brachii
muscles
Axillary Posterior C5, C6 Motor: deltoid, teres Terminal branch Lesions:
cord minor of the posterior (1) anterior dislocation of
cord that exits glenohumeral joint; (2) surgical neck
through the fracture of humerus
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Sensory: skin over posterior wall of Deficits:

upper lateral part of the axilla and -weakness of abduction of the arm
arm passes posterior -sensory loss on lateral shoulder and
to the surgical upper arm
neck of the
humerus
Median Medial and (C5), C5 to Motor: all muscles in Terminal branch Lesion:
lateral T1 the anterior from both the (1) supraepicondylar fracture of the
cords compartment of the lateral and medial humerus
forearm (except cords in the axilla Deficits:
flexor carpi ulnaris and runs distally -weakened wrist flexion (ulnar still
and medial half of in association contributes)
flexor digitorum with the brachial -hand deviates to ulnar side when
profundus), three artery in the wrist is flexed
thenar muscles of the medial aspect of -loss of index and middle finger
thumb, and two the arm. The flexion at MP, DIP, and PIP joints (d/t
lateral lumbricals nerve crosses lateral lumbricals and FDS/P)
muscles anterior to the -weakness of thumb abduction
Sensory: skin over elbow joint and (abductor pollicis longus still
the palmar surface of enters the contributes from forearm), loss of
the lateral 3.5 digits forearm. In the thumb opposition, and loss of thumb
and over the lateral upper part of the flexion
side of the palm and forearm the -loss of pronation
middle of the wrist median nerve -sensory loss on palmar and dorsal
gives off a deep aspects of index, middle, and half of
branch (anterior rings fingers and palmar aspects of
interosseous n.) thumb
and continues Asking pt to make a fist
into the hand
through the
carpal tunnel to
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supply the thenar

pad with the
recurrent branch
and the two
lateral lumbricals
with muscular
branches.

Lesion:
(2) carpal tunnel syndrome, fracture,
or laceration
Deficits:
-weakness of thumb abduction and
flexion (flexor pollicis longus [arm]
and abductor pollicis longus
[forearm] still contributes), loss of
thumb opposition (atrophy of thenar
pad)
-sensory loss on palmar and dorsal
aspects of index, middle, and half of
ring fingers and palmar aspect of
thumb
Lesion:
(3) middle forearm—anterior
interosseous syndrome
Deficits:
-weakness of thumb flexion (flexor
pollicis brevis still contributes)
-loss of flexion of the DIP joint of the
index and middle fingers (d/t FDP)
-weakness of pronation
-no sensory loss
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Radial Posterior C5 to C8, Motor: all muscles in Terminal branch Lesion:
cord (T1) the posterior of the posterior Midshaft fracture of the humerus
compartment of arm cord that passes Deficits:
and forearm out of the axilla -loss of wrist and digit extension
Sensory: skin on the into the posterior (wrist drop)
posterior aspects of compartment of -weakness of supination (biceps
the arm and forearm, the arm in close brachii still contributes)
the lower lateral association to the -sensory loss on posterior arm and
surface of the arm, posterior aspect forearm and dorsum of hand
and the dorsal lateral of the shaft of the
surface of the hand humerus. The
nerve enters the
forearm posterior
to the lateral
epicondyle of the
humerus and
travels to the
posterior aspect
of the hand. As it
travels through
the forearm, it
gives off a deep
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branch (posterior
interosseous n.)
Ulnar Medial (C7), C8, Motor: all intrinsic Terminal branch Lesion:
cord T1 muscles of the hand of the medial (1) entrapment at the elbow or
(except three thenar cord that runs medial epicondyle fracture
muscles and two distally in Deficits:
lateral lumbricals); association with -loss of abduction and adduction of
also flexor carpi the brachial fingers (palmar and dorsal
ulnaris and the artery and interossei)
medial half of FDP median nerve in -loss of thumb adduction (adductor
Sensory: skin over the medial aspect pollicis brevis, not a thenar muscle)
the palmar surface of of the arm. The -loss of flexion of 4th and 5th digits at
the medial 1.5 digits nerve passes the DIP joint (medial half of FDP)
and associated palm posterior to the -hand deviates to radial side when
and wrist, and skin medial flexed
over the dorsal epicondyle and -sensory loss on medial side of hand
surface of the medial enters the and aspects of the 4th and 5th digits
1.5 digits forearm. The
nerve travels
down the lateral
aspects of the
forearm close to
the ulna and
divides into a

superficial and Lesion:
deep branch at (2) wrist fracture or laceration
the wrist. Deficits:
-loss of abduction and adduction of
fingers (palmar and dorsal
interossei)
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-loss of thumb adduction (flexor

pollicis brevis)
-sensory loss on medial side of hand
and aspects of 4th and 5th digits


SMALL NERVES OF BRACHIAL PLEXUS
Name Origin Function Function
Dorsal scapular C5 root Motor: rhomboid major, rhomboid Helps keep shoulders up
minor, levator scapulae
Long thoracic C5 to C7 roots Motor: serratus anterior Lesions result in winging of
scapula
Suprascapular Superior trunk C5, C6 Motor: supraspinatus, It is vulnerable to injury in
infraspinatus fractures of the middle third
of the clavicle. Lesions of this
nerve results in a loss of
lateral rotation at the
shoulder joint and inability to
initiate abduction
Lateral pectoral Lateral cord C5 to C7 Motor: pectoralis major Function of pectoralis major:
(sternoclavicular head) adduction, internal rotation
and flexion of the arm
Upper subscapular Posterior cord C5, C6 Motor: subscapularis
Middle subscapular Posterior cord C8, T1 Motor: latissimus dorsi
(Thoracodorsal)
Lower subscapular Posterior cord C5, C6 Motor: subscapularis, teres major
Medial pectoral Medial cord C8, T1 Motor: pectoralis major
(sternocostal head), pectoralis
minor
Medial brachial cutaneous Medial cord C8, T1 Sensory: skin on medial side of
distal one-third of arm
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Medial antebrachial Medial cord C8, T1 Sensory: skin on medial side of

cutaneous forearm (up to wrist)
Subclavius Superior trunk C5, C6 Motor: subclavius


NERVE LESIONS OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS
Lesion Causes Nerves most Deformity Deformity (loss of Notes
commonly involved (position of the function)
limb)
Erb’s Palsy— Undue separation a) musculocutaneous a) arm: hangs by a) abduction and
upper brachial of the head from b) axillary side; it is adducted lateral rotation of
plexus injury the shoulder c) suprascapular and medially the arm
commonly rotated b) flexion and
Roots C5, C6 encountered in: forearm: extended supination of the
birth injury or fall and hand pronated forearm
on the shoulder c) sensations lost
over a small area
over the lower
part of shoulder
Klumpke’s Undue abduction a) ulnar a) ulnar claw hand a) intrinsic muscles
Palsy—lower of the arm, as in b) (median may be due to the of the hand
brachial plexus clutching involved) unopposed action b) ulnar flexors of
injury something with of the long flexors wrist and fingers
hands after a fall and extensors of c)sensations lost
Roots C8, T1 from a height, or the fingers over a small area
sometimes in birth (hyperextension of along the ulnar
injury the MP joints and border of the
flexion at the IP forearm and hand
joints)


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Muscle Origin Insertion Innervation Function
Muscles of the gluteal region
Piriformis Anterior surface of Medial side of superior Branches from L5, S1, Laterally rotates the
sacrum between border of greater S2 extended femur at hip
anterior sacral foramina trochanter of femur joint; abducts flexed
femur at hip joint
Obturator internus Anterolateral wall of Medial side of greater Nerve to obturator Laterally rotates the
true pelvis; deep trochanter of femur internus (L5, S1) extended femur at hip
surface of obturator joint; abducts flexed
membrane and femur at hip joint
surrounding bone
Gemellus superior External surface of Along length of superior Nerve to obturator Laterally rotates the
ischial spine surface of the obturator internus (L5, S1) extended femur at hip
internus tendon and joint; abducts flexed
into the medial side of femur at hip joint
greater trochanter of
femur with obturator
internus tendon
Gemellus inferior Upper aspect of ischial Along length of inferior Nerve to quadratus Laterally rotates the
spine surface of the obturator femoris (L5, S1) extended femur at hip
internus tendon and joint; abducts flexed
into the medial side of femur at hip joint
the greater trochanter
of femur with obturator
internus tendon
Quadratus femoris Lateral aspect of the Quadrate tubercle on Nerve to quadratus Laterally rotates femur
ischium just anterior to the intertrochanteric femoris (L5, S1) at hip joint
the ischial tuberosity crest of the proximal
femur
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Gluteus minimus External surface of ilium Linear facet on the Superior gluteal nerve Abducts femur at hip
between inferior and anterolateral aspect of (L4, L5, S1) joint; holds pelvis
anterior gluteal lines the greater trochanter secure over stance leg
and prevents pelvis
drop on the opposite
swing side during
walking; medially
rotates thigh
Gluteus medius External surface of ilium Elongate facet on the Superior gluteal nerve Abducts femur at hip
between anterior and lateral surface of the (L4, L5, S1) joint; holds pelvis
posterior gluteal lines greater trochanter secure over stance leg
and prevents pelvis
drop on the opposite
swing side during
walking; medially
rotates thigh
Gluteus maximus Fascia covering gluteus Posterior aspect of Inferior gluteal nerve Powerful extensor of
medius, external iliotibial tract of fascia (L5,S1, S2) flexed femur at hip
surface of ilium behind lata and gluteal joint; lateral stabilizer
posterior gluteal line, tuberosity of proximal of hip joint and knee
fascia of erector spinae, femur joint; laterally rotates
dorsal surface of lower and abducts thigh
sacrum, lateral margin
of coccyx, external
surface of
sacrotuberous ligament
Tensor fasciae latae Lateral aspect of crest Iliotibial tract of fascia Superior gluteal nerve Stabilizes knee in
of ilium between lata (L4, L5, S1) extension
anterior superior iliac
spine and tubercle of
the crest
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Muscles of the anterior compartment of thigh

Psoas major Posterior abdominal Lesser trochanter of Anterior rami (L1, L2, Flexes thigh at hip joint
wall femur L3)
Iliacus Posterior abdominal Lesser trochanter of Femoral nerve (L2, L3) Flexes thigh at hip joint
wall (iliac fossa) femur
Vastus medialis Femur—medial part of Quadriceps femoris Femoral nerve (L2, L3, Extends leg at knee
intertrochanteric line, tendon and medial L4) joint
pectineal line, medial border of patella
lip of linea aspera,
medial supracondylar
line
Vastus intermedius Femur—upper two- Quadriceps femoris Femoral nerve (L2, L3, Extends leg at knee
thirds of anterior and tendon and medial L4) joint
lateral surfaces border of patella
Vastus lateralis Femur—lateral part of Quadriceps femoris Femoral nerve (L2, L3, Extends leg at knee
intertrochanteric line, tendon L4) joint
margin of grater
trochanter, lateral
margin of gluteal
tuberosity, lateral lip of
linea aspera
Rectus femoris Straight head originates Quadriceps femoris Femoral nerve (L2, L3, Flexes thigh at hip joint
from the anterior tendon L4) and extends leg at knee
inferior iliac spine; joint
reflected head
originates from the
ilium just superior to
the acetabulum
Sartorius Anterior superior iliac Medial surface of tibia Femoral nerve (L2, L3) Flexes thigh at hip joint
spine just inferomedial to and extends leg at knee
tibial tuberosity joint
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Muscles of the medial compartment of thigh

Gracilis A line on the external Medial surface of Obturator nerve (L2, L3) Adducts thigh at hip
surfaces of the body of proximal shaft of tibia joint and flexes leg at
the pubis, the inferior knee joint
pubic ramus, and the
ramus of the ischium
Pectineus Pectineal line (pecten Oblique line extending Femoral nerve (L2, L3) Adducts thigh at hip
pubis) and adjacent from base of lesser joint
bone of pelvis trochanter to linea
aspera on posterior
surface of proximal
femur
Adductor longus External surface of body Linea aspera on middle Obturator nerve Adducts and medially
of pubis one-third of shaft of (anterior division, L2, rotates thigh at hip joint
femur L3, L4)
Adductor brevis External surface of body Posterior surface of Obturator nerve (L2, L3) Adducts thigh at hip
of pubis and inferior proximal femur and joint
pubic ramus upper one-third of linea
aspera
Adductor magnus Adductor part— Posterior surface of Obturator nerve (L2, L3) Adducts and medially
ischiopubic ramus proximal femur, linea rotates thigh at hip joint
aspera, medial
supracondylar line

Hamstring part— ischial Adductor tubercle and Sciatic nerve (tibial
tuberosity supracondylar line division, L2, L3, L4)
Obturator externus External surface of Trochanteric fossa Obturator nerve Laterally rotates thigh
obturator membrane (posterior division, L3, at hip joint
and adjacent bone L4)
Muscles of the posterior compartment of thigh
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Biceps femoris Long head— Head of fibula Sciatic nerve (L5, S1, S2) Flexes leg at knee joint;
inferomedial part of the extends and laterally
upper area of the ischial rotates thigh at hip joint
tuberosity; short and laterally rotates
head—lateral lip of knee at knee joint
linea aspera
Semitendinosus Inferomedial part of the Medial surface of Sciatic nerve (L5, S1, S2) Flexes leg at knee joint
upper area of the ischial proximal tibia and extends thigh at hip
tuberosity joint; medially rotates
thigh at hip joint and
leg at knee joint
Semimembranosus Superolateral Groove and adjacent Sciatic nerve (L5, S1, S2) Flexes leg at knee joint
impression on the bone on medial and and extends thigh at hip
ischial tuberosity posterior surface of joint; medially rotates
medial and tibial thigh at hip joint and
condyle leg at knee joint
Superficial group of muscles in the posterior compartment of leg
Gastrocnemius Medial head—posterior Via calcaneal tendon, to Tibial nerve (S1, S2) Plantarflexes foot and
surface of distal femur posterior surface of flexes knee
just superior to medial calcaneus
condyle; lateral head—
upper posterolateral
surface of lateral
femoral condyle
Plantaris Inferior part of lateral Via calcaneal tendon, to Tibial nerve (S1, S2) Plantarflexes foot and
supracondylar line of posterior surface of flexes knee
femur and oblique calcaneus
popliteal ligament of
knee
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Soleus Soleal line and medial Via calcaneal tendon, to Tibial nerve (S1, S2) Plantarflexes foot
border of tibia; posterior surface of
posterior aspect of calcaneus
fibular head and
adjacent surfaces of
neck and proximal
shaft; tendinous arch
between tibial and
fibular attachments
Muscles of the lateral compartment of leg
Fibularis longus Upper lateral surface of Undersurface of lateral Superficial fibular nerve Eversion and
fibula, head of fibula, sides of distal end of (L5, S1, S2) plantarflexion of foot;
and occasionally the medial cuneiform and supports arches of foot
lateral tibial condyle base of metatarsal
Fibularis brevis Lower two-thirds of Lateral tubercle at base Superficial fibular nerve Eversion of foot
lateral surface of shaft of metatarsal V (L5, S1, S2)
of fibula
Muscles of the anterior compartment of leg
Tibialis anterior Lateral surface of tibia Medial and inferior Deep fibular nerve (L4, Dorsiflexion of foot at
and adjacent surfaces of medial L5) ankle joint; inversion of
interosseous membrane cuneiform and adjacent foot; dynamic, support
surfaces on base of of medial arch of foot
metatarsal I
Extensor hallucis longus Middle one-half of Dorsal surface of base Deep fibular nerve (L5, Extension of great toe
medial surface of fibula of distal phalanx of S1) and dorsiflexion of foot
and adjacent surface of great toe
interosseous membrane
Extensor digitorum Proximal one-half of Via dorsal digital Deep fibular nerve (L5, Extension of lateral four
longus medial surface of fibula expansions into bases S1) toes and dorsiflexion of
and related surface of of distal and middle foot
lateral tibial condyle
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phalanges of lateral
four toes
Fibularis tertius Distal part of medial Dorsomedial surface of Deep fibular nerve (L5, Dorsiflexion and
surface of fibula base metatarsal V S1) eversion of foot


Nerves of the Lower Limb
Nerve Level Function: motor Function: sensory Notes
Lumbar plexus—enter the limb anteriorly to supply muscles of the anterior and medial thigh
Iliohypogastric n. L1 Skin over upper lateral thigh and Primarily nerves of the anterior
inguinal region abdominal wall and inguinal
Ilioinguinal n. L1 Skin over upper anterior thigh region
Genitofemoral n. L1-L2 Skin over upper thigh
Lateral femoral L2-L3 Skin of lateral thigh Enters lateral thigh
cutaneous n. anteromedial to the superior
iliac spine
Femoral n. L2-L4 All muscles in anterior Skin over anteromedial knee Enters the anterior thigh
compartment of thigh: Iliopsoas, through the retroinguinal space
pectineus, Sartorius, quadriceps (deep to inguinal ligament),
femoris lateral the femoral artery. It
innervates muscles of the
-Anterior -Skin of anterior and medial thigh anterior compartment
cutaneous n. Injury:
-weakened flexion of the hip
-Saphenous n. -Skin of medial leg and foot -loss of knee extension
-loss of sensation on the medial
side of the leg and foot
-instability of the knee
Obturator n. L2-L4 Obturator externus, adductor Skin over upper medial aspect of Enters the medial thigh through
longus, adductor brevis, adductor thigh obturator foramen and
magnus, Gracilis, pectineus
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innervates muscles of the

medial compartment.
Injury: most commonly
associated with pelvic surgery
or pelvic fractures:
-weakened adduction of the hip
(e.g. instability to move the leg
from the gas pedal to the
brake)
-weakened external rotation of
the hip
-loss of sensation over a palm-
size area on the medial side of
the thigh
-instability of the pelvis; lateral
swing of the limb with
locomotion
Sciatic n. L4-S3 All muscles in the posterior Skin over lateral side of leg and Splits into tibial and common
compartment of thigh and the part foot, and over the sole and dorsal fibular nerves in the mid
of adductor magnus attached to surface of foot posterior thigh
the ischium; all muscles in the leg
and foot
Sacral plexus—its branches enter the lower limb through the greater sciatic foramen in the gluteal region to supply muscles of the gluteal region,
posterior thigh, and all muscular compartments of the leg and foot
Superior gluteal n. L4-S1 Gluteus medius, Enters gluteal region above the
gluteus minimus, piriformis muscle and runs
tensor fascia latae laterally between deep gluteal
muscles. It supplies the
abductors of the hip joint in the
gluteal region.
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Injury: Trendelenburg sign and

gait
Inferior gluteal n. L5-S2 Gluteus maximus Enters gluteal region inferior to
the piriformis muscle
Nerve to quadratus L4-S1 Quadratus femoris
femoris and gemellus inferior
Nerve to obturator L5-S2 Obturator internus
internus and gemellus
superior
Posterior femoral S1-S3 Skin of posterior
cutaneous n. thigh and inferior
gluteal region
Tibial n. L4-S3 Biceps femoris (long Sciatic n. injury: can be injured
head), by compression by the
semimembranosus, piriformis muscle, misplaced
semitendinosus, intramuscular injections in the
adductor magnus gluteal region, pelvic fractures,
(medial part), or surgical procedures such as
-Medial plantar n. gastrocnemius, hip replacements. An injury in
soleus, popliteus, the gluteal region would affect
tibialis posterior, muscles of the posterior thigh
flexor digitorum and all muscular compartments
longus, flexor hallucis of the leg, the combined effects
-Lateral plantar n. longus of damage to the tibial and
common fibular nerves.
-Abductor hallucis,
flexor digitorum Tibial n. injury: unusual
brevis, flexor hallucis because the nerve is well
brevis (medial head), protected in the thigh and
1st lumbricals; skin of posterior leg.
medial sole, 1st-3rd -impaired extension of the hip
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digits, and half of 4th -loss of flexion of the knee

digit In the popliteal fossa, it can be
affected by aneurysms of the
-Quadratus plantae, popliteal artery and knee
flexor hallucis brevis trauma:
(lateral head), -loss of plantar flexion at the
abductor digiti ankle
minimi, flexor digiti -loss plantar flexion, abduction,
minimi brevis, and adduction of the digits
interossei, 2nd-4th -loss of eversion of the foot
lumbricals, adductor -weakened inversion of the
hallucis; skin of foot
lateral sole, 5th digit, -loss of sensation on the
and half of 4th digit posterolateral leg to the lateral
malleolus, the sole and lateral
side of the foot
-a shuffling gait with clawing of
the toes
Common fibular n. L4-S2 Biceps femoris (short Common fibular n. injury: most
head) vulnerable of the peripheral
-Superficial fibular nerves due to its exposed
n. -Fibularis longus and location around the neck of the
brevis; skin of fibula:
dorsum of foot -loss of eversion of the foot
-Deep fibular n. -loss of dorsiflexion at the ankle
-Anterior tibialis, and digits
extensor hallucis -weakened inversion of the
longus and brevis, foot
extensor digitorum -loss of sensation over the
longus and brevis, lateral leg and dorsum of the
Fibularis tertius; skin foot
 Anatomy Charts

of web space -foot drop compensated by a

between 1st and 2nd high-stepping gait; instability
digits on uneven surfaces

Injury to the superficial fibular
n. only affects eversion of the
foot and sensation over the
lateral leg and most of the
dorsum of the foot. Injury to
the deep fibular has greater
functional consequences,
including the loss of all
dorsiflexion. This results in
footdrop and the compensating
high-stepping gait.
Sural n. (tibial and S1 Skin of posterior and
common fibular nn. lateral leg and lateral
contributions) foot

Lower Extremity Nerve Lesions
Peripheral nerve Common entrapment regions Muscle weakness Sensory loss
Deep fibular n. (L4-S2) Anterior compartment syndrome Drop foot—inability to dorsiflex Triangular region between first
foot causing the pt to use high and second toes
stepping gait to walk
Anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome at Weakness in toe extension
the extensor retinaculum
Superficial fibular n. (L4-S2) High lesion at the head of the fibula Loss of foot eversion and/or Loss of sensation on the lateral
subtalar pronation and ankle leg, lateral malleolus, and
stability dorsum of foot
Low lesion with a lateral ankle sprain No loss
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Tibial n. (L4-S3) Popliteal region from knee trauma Unable to plantarflex or Loss of sensation on the
such as dislocation or a blow invert/supinate foot, affecting posterolateral aspect of lower
gait, plus loss of toe flexion, one third of leg, lateral
abduction and adduction. Pt malleolus and lateral border of
will not push off foot, heel, and sole of foot and
toes
Tarsal tunnel entrapment at the Loss of intrinsic foot function Loss of sensation on the
medial malleolus anterior sole of foot and plantar
surface of toes
Femoral n. (L2-L4) Anterior dislocation of femur from Inability to flex thigh or extend Medial side of leg, medial
trauma or injury from pelvic or hip knee—pt will lock knee into malleolus (saphenous n.) or
surgery, abdominal or hernia repair extension medial knee (medial cutaneous
n.)
Obturator n. (L2-L4) Compression in the obturator tunnel Inability to adduct hip and Medial patch of skin just above
from pelvic fracture or injury, weakness of knee flexion knee—however, they may also
pregnancy, tumors (gracilis) and hip external complain of groin or pubic
rotation (obturator externus)— symphysis pain
creating difficulty with gait
exhibiting an externally rotated
foot

Anatomy Charts

Each of the major muscle groups or compartments in the lower limb is innervated primarily by one or more of the major nerves that
originate from the lumbar and sacral plexuses:
- Large muscles in the gluteal regions are innervated by the superior and inferior gluteal nerves
- Most muscles in the anterior compartment of the thigh are innervated by the femoral nerve (except the tensor fasciae
latae, which are innervated by the superior gluteal nerve)
- Most muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh are innervated mainly by the obturator nerve (except the pectineus,
which is innervated by the femoral nerve, and part of the adductor magnus, which is innervated by the tibial division of the
sciatic nerve)
- Most muscles in the posterior compartment of the thigh and the leg and in the sole of the foot are innervated by the tibial
part of the sciatic nerve (except the short head of the biceps femoris in the posterior thigh, which is innervated by the
common fibular division of the sciatic nerve)
- The anterior and lateral compartments of the leg and muscles associated with the dorsal surface of the foot are innervated
by the common fibular part of the sciatic nerve

In addition to innervating major muscle groups, each of the major peripheral nerves originating from the lumbar and sacral plexuses
carries general sensory information from patches of skin. Sensation from these areas can be used to test for peripheral nerve
lesions:
- The femoral nerve innervates skin on the anterior thigh
- The obturator nerve innervates the medial side of the thigh
- The tibial part of the sciatic nerve innervates the lateral side of the ankle and foot
- The common fibular nerve innervates the lateral side of the leg and the dorsum of the foot

Nerves related to bone: the common fibular branch of the sciatic nerve curves laterally around the neck of the fibula when passing
from the popliteal fossa into the leg. The nerve can be rolled against bone just distal to the attachment of biceps femoris to the head
of the fibula. In this location, the nerve can be damaged by impact injuries, fractures to the bone, or leg casts that are placed too
high.