what divides compartment of thigh
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What Divides the Compartments of the Thigh?
The thigh is divided into three compartments by fascial partitions. The outer boundary for all three is the fascia lata (the deep investing fascia of the thigh), and the internal divisions are formed by intermuscular septa that extend inward from the fascia lata to attach to the linea aspera of the femur.
Cross-section of the thigh: A = anterior compartment, Ad = adductor (medial) compartment, P = posterior compartment.
The Dividing Structures
| Structure | What it separates |
|---|---|
| Fascia lata | Forms the outer boundary of all three compartments |
| Lateral intermuscular septum | Separates the anterior compartment from the posterior compartment (runs between vastus lateralis and the short head of biceps femoris) |
| Anteromedial (medial) intermuscular septum | Separates the anterior compartment from the adductor (medial) compartment (runs between vastus medialis and the adductor muscles) |
| Posteromedial intermuscular septum | Separates the adductor compartment from the posterior compartment (runs between adductor magnus and the hamstrings) |
Both the lateral and medial septa are attached to the linea aspera of the femur, using the bone itself as a rigid anchor point.
The Three Compartments and Their Contents
| Compartment | Main Muscles | Key Nerve | Key Vessel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anterior | Quadriceps femoris (vastus lateralis, medialis, intermedius, rectus femoris), sartorius | Femoral nerve | Femoral artery/vein |
| Medial (Adductor) | Adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis | Obturator nerve | Obturator vessels |
| Posterior | Biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus (hamstrings) | Sciatic nerve | Perforating branches of profunda femoris |
Quick Summary
The key dividers are:
- Fascia lata - the outer sleeve
- Lateral intermuscular septum - between anterior and posterior
- Medial (anteromedial) intermuscular septum - between anterior and adductor
- Posteromedial intermuscular septum - between adductor and posterior
All septa attach to the linea aspera of the femur, which acts as the bony anchor for all three compartment walls.
- Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults, 10th ed., p. 684
- Fischer's Mastery of Surgery, 8th ed., p. 6658
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