Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter

Quadriceps femoris-muscle mass of anterior thigh (see Section 7-2: Lower Limb: Hip and Thigh)

Gastrocnemius muscle-muscle mass of posterior leg (see Section 7-4: Lower Limb: Leg)

Hamstring muscles

Palpable as a mass arising from the ischial tuberosity

Palpable as the medial and lateral superior borders of the popliteal fossa

Calcaneal tendon (Achilles' tendon)

Tendon of gastrocnemius

Descends to calcaneus (heel) on posteroinferior leg, between medial and lateral malleoli

Tendon of fibularis brevis-palpable at its attachment of the base of the fifth metatarsal

Tendons of extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus-visible when toes are forcibly extended

Vessels

VIDEO TIP

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Transparency feature to make all but the structure transmitted transparent: Video Tip 7.1 - saphenous

Great saphenous vein (see Section 7-6: Lower Limb: Neurovasculature)

Descends along the medial thigh and leg, passing posterior to the knee

Is visible with its tributaries when dilated and varicosed (because of incompetence of valves of vein to prevent backflow of blood)

Other Palpable Landmarks

Inguinal ligament

Runs inferomedially from ASIS to pubic tubercle of pelvis

Folded inferior edge of external abdominal aponeurosis

Fold separates abdominal region from thigh

Popliteal fossa (see Section 7-3: Lower Limb: Knee)

Diamond-shaped depression posterior to knee

Contains arteries, veins, and nerves of the leg