Cross-section through the middle of the thigh. (Anterior compartment is at upper left; medial at center right; posterior at center bottom.

On the human body, the limbs can be divided into segments, such as the arm and the forearm of the upper limb, and the thigh and the leg of the lower limb. If these segments are cut transversely, it is apparent that they are divided into multiple sections. These are called fascial compartments, and are formed by tough connective tissue septa. These compartments usually have a separate nerve and blood supply to their neighbours. The muscles in each compartment will often all be supplied by the same nerve.

The thigh is usually divided into three compartments, each supplied by a specific nerve:^[1]

• Medial fascial compartment of thigh: obturator nerve
• Posterior fascial compartment of thigh: sciatic nerve
• Anterior fascial compartment of thigh: femoral nerve

[edit] See also

• Compartment syndrome
• Fascial compartments of arm

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Anatomy at Dartmouth knee/muscles/index

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