Remove the deep fascia from the posterior compartment of the thigh. Be careful to leave the iliotibial tract intact. (G 6.28B;N 482;Gl 31.14B)
- Identify and clean the semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles. Trace these muscles from the ischial tuberosity to their distal attachments to the proximal, medial tibia. Observe the branches of the sciatic nerve entering the muscles. Note the arrangement of the distal attachments of the sartorius, gracilis and semitendinosus muscles ( pes anserinus). (G 6.24A;N 480;Gl 31.13)
- Identify and clean the long and short heads of the biceps femoris muscle. Observe the branches of the sciatic nerve entering the biceps femoris muscle.
- Identify and clean the posterior aspect of the adductor magnus muscle.
- Attempt to identify the perforating branches of the profunda femoral artery passing through the adductor magnus muscle to supply the muscles of the posterior compartment of the thigh.
- Trace the sciatic nerve in the inferior direction to the point where it divides into the tibial and common peroneal (fibular) nerves. (G 6.42;N 489;Gl 34.35B)
Important Relationships
- At a mid-thigh level, the sciatic nerve is positioned posterior to the femur (shaft) and deep to the hamstring muscles.
- Within the popliteal fossa, the common peroneal (fibular) nerve is positioned lateral to the tibial nerve.
