Muscles of the Leg and Thigh

11/3/14, 11/5/14 and 11/6/14

Procedure:

1. Locate and identify the superficial muscles of the leg. Be sure to be observing the outer-side of the leg. The following superficial muscles should be identified: the Gastrocnemius, the biceps femoris, the semitendinosus and vastus lateralis. The gastrocnemius is intermediate between the semitendinosus (left of the gastrocnemius) and the vastus lateralis (right of the gastrocnemius).  The biceps femoris are directly superior (above) the gastrocnemius and also intermediate between the semitendinosus (left of the biceps femoris) and the vastus lateralis (right of the biceps femoris). Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of these superficial muscles.
2. With a scalpel, clearly outline these superficial leg muscles and then take a picture.
3. Next, locate and identify the fascia latae and the tensor fasciae latae of the thigh. The fascia latae is inferior (below) the tensor fasciae latae. Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of these muscles. Next take a picture of the fascia latae and the tensor fascia latae before making incision marks.
4. Locate and identify the superficial muscles of the thigh. Be sure to be observing the outer-side of the thigh. The following superficial muscles should be identified: the sartorius, the caudofemoralis, the gluteus maximus and the gluteus medius. The caudofemoralis is inferior (below) the gluteus maximus. The gluteus medius is a superficial muscle underneath the gluteus maximus. The sartorius is a muscle that connects the upper thigh to the trunk (body) of the cat. Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of these muscles.
5. With a scalpel, clearly outline these superficial thigh muscles and then take a picture.
6. Move on to the inner thigh and identify the sartorius and the gracilis muscle. The sartorius runs vertically up the thigh of the left and the gracilis is a slightly smaller muscle running vertically up the thigh of the right. With a scalpel, outline both these muscles.
7. Identify the femoral artery, which is a long, thin artery running vertically up the thigh and down the leg of the cat. Identify the femoral vein (blue) which is also long and thin and runs vertically up the thigh and down the leg of the cat. Lastly, identify the adductor muscles, which are to the right of the blue vein at the upper area of the inner thigh. Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of the arteries, veins and adductor muscles.  
8. With a scalpel (and surgical tweezers if needed) separate the femoral artery and the femoral vein but, do not cut off. Take a picture.
9. Next with the scalpel, cut the gracilis muscle in order to clearly identify the adductor femoris. The adductor femoris is directly underneath the gracilis muscle, running vertically up the thigh. Take a picture of the incision made in the gracilis muscle and the exposed adductor femoris.  
10. Then with a scalpel, cut the adductor femoris, exposing the semimembranosus muscle which is underneath the adductor femoris. Take a picture of the incision made in the adductor femoris and the exposed semimembranosus muscle. Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of the gracilis, adductor femoris and the semimembranosus.
11. Next locate and cut the gastrocnemius muscle with a scalpel, which is inferior (below) the semimembranosus. This incision will expose the  the semitendinosus muscle, which is underneath the gastrocnemius. Take a picture of the incision made in the gastrocnemius muscle and the exposed semitendinosus muscle. Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of these muscles.
12. Recognize the sartorius muscle (previously identified). Inferior (below) to the sartorius muscle is the tibialis anterior and tibia and the flexor digitorum. The tibia is intermediate between the tibialis anterior and the flexor digitorum. The flexor digitorum is proximal (next) to the gastrocnemius. Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of these muscles.
13. With a scalpel, separate these muscles and then take a picture.
14. Next cut the sartorius muscle with a scalpel and identify the vastus lateralis and the vastus medialis. Both of these muscles lie underneath the sartorius muscle and run vertically up the inner thigh. The vastus medialis is intermediate between the vastus lateralis and the semimembranosus muscle (previously identified).
15. Superior (above) to the vastus lateralis and the vastus medialis is the rectus femoris. While being located above these two muscles, the rectus femoris is also intermediate between the vastus lateralis and the vastus medialis at the uppermost part of the inner thigh. Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of the vastus lateralis, the vastus medialis and the rectus femoris.
16. After identifying these muscles, separate them using a scalpel in order to clearly outline their location. Take a picture
17. Proximal (next) to the vastus medialis is the adductor femoris muscle (previously identified). Superior (above) to the vastus medialis and the semimembranosus are three small muscles, located at the uppermost part of the inner thigh. These three muscles are called the iliopsoas, the pectineus and the adductor longus. These three muscles are also intermediate between the vastus medialis and the semimembranosus. The pectineus is intermediate between the iliopsoas and the adductor longus.The Iliopsoas is proximal (next) to the rectus femoris. The adductor longus is proximal (next) to the adductor femoris. The Iliopsoas is proximal (next) to the rectus femoris.
18. Next identify the calcaneal tendon (achilles), which is located inferior (below) to the gastrocnemius. Clean up this tendon using a scalpel in order for it to be clearly seen. Take a picture. Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of this tendon.
19. Turn back to the outer thigh and leg. Recognize the location of biceps femoris (previously identified), which takes up the upper area of the outer thigh. Directly inferior (below) the biceps femoris is the semitendinosus. The semitendinosus is intermediate between the biceps femoris and the gastrocnemius. The gastrocnemius is inferior (below) the semitendinosus and the biceps femoris. Identify and clearly outline these muscles with a scalpel and then take a picture. Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of these muscles.
20. Located on the gastrocnemius muscle is the posterior tibial nerve. The posterior tibial nerve runs vertically up the leg and down to the calcaneal tendon (achilles). Separate this nerve with a scalpel (and surgical tweezers if necessary) and then take a picture of this nerve. Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of this nerve.
21. Identify the following deep leg muscles: the soleus, the peroneus and the extensor digitorum longus. The soleus is superior (above) the peroneus. The extensor digitorum longus is inferior (below) the peroneus. The peroneus is intermediate between the soleus and the extensor digitorum longus. With a scalpel, separate these deep leg muscles and take a picture. Review the Anatomy booklet for further direction on the location of these muscles.

Materials: scalpel and surgical tweezers.

Data and Observations:

Semara had beautiful thigh and leg muscles as well as beautiful veins, nerves and arteries. All of her thigh and leg muscles were in great condition and in the correct place. All of her veins, nerves and arteries were also in the correct positions and in great condition. Semara’s arteries were small but her veins were large. Her nerves were slightly thin and an average size. Pictures and data shown below.

Human Corresponding Leg Muscles

Conclusion:

Dissecting the thigh and leg of the cat was definitely the most difficult. I was again confused and did not have a clear understanding of what I was supposed to do. Infact, my lab partner and I needed extra time to finish dissecting the muscles of the leg. It was difficult for me to enjoy this process because I struggled to decipher between the different muscles and understand the anatomy. Although, I did enjoy studying the veins, nerves and arteries on the inside of the thigh. I had never seen a nerve before and always wondered what it looked like. Identifying the veins, nerves and arteries was easier and I was able dissect them. Overall, dissecting the leg and thigh felt a bit rushed and I wish I had a better understanding of the different muscles.