1.1.1. Arterial Supply of the Lower Limb Flashcards
What is the main Artery of the Lower Limb?
The Femoral Artery
What is the Femoral Artery a continuation of?
The External Iliac Artery
When does the External Iliac Artery become the Femoral Artery?
When it crosses under the Inguinal Ligament, into the Femoral Triangle
In the Femoral Triangle, which Artery arises from the Posterolateral aspect of the Femoral Artery?
The Profunda Femoris Artery
Where does the Profunda Femoris Artery travel?
Posteriorly and Distally
What 3 branches come off of the Profunda Femoris Artery?
- Perforating Branches
- Lateral Femoral Circumflex Artery
- Medial Femoral Circumflex Artery
How many Perforating Branches of the Profunda Femoris Artery are there?
3 or 4
What do the Perforating Branches of the Profunda Femoris Artery perforate?
The Adductor Magnus
After perforating the Adductor Magnus, what do the Perforating Branches of the Profunda Femoris Artery contribute to supplying?
- The Muscles of the Medial Thigh
2. The Muscles of the Posterior Thigh
Where does the Lateral Femoral Circumflex Artery travel?
It Wraps around the Anterior, Lateral Side of the Femur
What does the Lateral Femoral Circumflex Artery supply?
Some of the Muscles on the Lateral aspect of the Thigh
Where does the Medial Femoral Circumflex Artery travel?
It Wraps around the Posterior Side of the Femur
What does the Medial Femoral Circumflex Artery supply?
The Head and Neck of the Femur
What is the Clinical Significance of the Medial Femoral Circumflex Artery?
In a Femoral Neck Fracture, this Artery can be easily damaged, and Avascular Necrosis can occur
What happens to the Femoral Artery after the Profunda Femoris Artery breaks off from it?
It continues and leaves the Femoral Triangle
Where does the Femoral Artery travel, after it has left the Femoral Triangle?
Down the Anterior Surface of the Thigh
What is the name of the Tunnel which the Femoral Artery travels via, down the Anterior Surface of the Thigh?
Adductor Canal
What does the Femoral Artery supply as it travels down the Anterior Thigh?
The Anterior Muscles of the Thigh
Where does the Adductor Canal end?
At the Adductor Hiatus
What is the Adductor Hiatus?
An opening in the Adductor Magnus
What happens to the Femoral Artery as it reaches the Adductor Hiatus?
It moves through this opening
What happens to the Femoral Artery after it leaves the Adductor Hiatus?
It enters into the Posterior Compartment of the Thigh, Proximal to the Knee Joint
What is the Femoral Artery known as, from when it leaves the Adductor Hiatus?
The Popliteal Artery
What is the Clinical Significance of the Femoral Artery being Superficial?
It is a site of easy access and can be used for a variety of procedures, e.g. Coronary Angiography