Superficial Landmarks of the Anterior Upper Leg

•Femoral triangle•Superior border – inguinal ligament•Medial border – adductor longus•Lateral border - sartorius•Floor of the triangle formed by the iliopsoas, pectineus and adductor longus•Neurovascular structures travel across it.

•Anterior compartment musculature•Knee and hip muscles

•Rectus femoris•Tensor fasciae latae

•Knee•Vastus lateralis•Vastus medialis•Vastus intermedius (deep)

•Hip•Iliopsoas (deep)

Superficial Structures of the Anterior Upper Leg

Lines of Incision on the Anterior Thigh

• Incise the skin from the anterior superior iliac spine along a line parallel but slightly below the inguinal ligament.

• Then make a vertical cut along the middle of the anterior thigh that extends down to a site 5 cm below the patella.

• From this lower point, cut laterally and medially around the leg to the calf.

• Reflect the skin flaps and exose the superficial fascia.