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Fascial compartments In cross-section, the thigh is divided up into three fascial compartments. These compartments use the femur as an axis, and are separated by tough connective tissue membranes (or septa). Each of these compartments has its own blood and nerve supply, and contains a different group of muscles. Anterior compartment This contains the flexors of the hip, and extensors of the knee, such as the quadriceps femoris. These muscles are supplied by the femoral nerve and the femoral artery. The longest muscle in the Human body, the Sartorius muscle, runs through here. Medial compartment The obturator nerve supplies the hip adductors in this compartment. Muscles include adductor longus, adductor brevis and gracilis. Posterior compartment The muscles here are the hamstrings. These muscles flex the knee, and extend the hip. This compartment is sciatic nerve territory. Blood vessels The arterial supply is by the femoral artery and the obturator system. The lymphatic drainage closely follows the arterial supply. The deep venous system of the thigh consists of the femoral vein, the proximal part of the popliteal vein, and various smaller vessels; these are the site of proximal deep venous thrombosis. The venae perfortantes connect the deep and the superficial system, which consists of the saphenous veins (the site of varicose veins). Thigh weakness Thigh weakness can result in a positive Gower's sign on physical examination. | ||||||||||
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