Other structures and spaces of the lower limb

Question 1

How is the gluteal ‘safe area’ defined?

Answer 1

Superior lateral quadrant of the buttock.
Avoid hitting the sciatic nerve (and superior gluteal nerve and vessels) during i.m. injection.
Between the tubercle of the iliac crest and the anterior superior iliac spine. Place index finger on ASIS and spread fingers posteriorly until the middle finger feels the tubercle of the iliac crest. The triangle between those 2 fingers is the safe area for i.m. injection.

Question 2

What are the borders of the femoral triangle?

Answer 2

Inguinal ligament (superiorly).
Adductor longus muscle (medially).
Sartorius muscle (laterally).

Question 3

What are the contents of the femoral triangle?

Answer 3

Femoral nerve
Femoral artery
Femoral vein

Question 4

What are the boundaries of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 4

Biceps femoris (superolaterally).
Semimembranosus (superomedially).
Lateral head of gastrocnemius (inferolaterally).
Medial head of gastrocnemius (inferomedially).
Skin and fascia (posteriorly).
Femur (anteriorly).

Question 5

What are the contents of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 5

Popliteal artery
Popliteal vein
Tibial and common peroneal nerves
Short saphenous vein
Popliteal lymph nodes