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
Other than the Femoral Artery, which Arteries supply the Thigh?
- Obturator Artery
- Superior Gluteal Artery
- Inferior Gluteal Artery
Where does the Obturator Artery arise from?
The Internal Iliac Artery
In which Region does the Obturator Artery arise?
The Pelvic Region
Where does the Obturator Artery travel?
Via the Obturator Canal, to the Medial Thigh
As the Obturator Artery enters into the Medial Thigh, what happens to it?
It bifurcates into 2 Branches of the Artery
What are the 2 Branches the Obturator Artery bifurcates into?
- Anterior Branch of the Obturator Artery
2. Posterior Branch of the Obturator Artery
What does the Anterior Branch of the Obturator Artery supply?
- Pectineus
- Obturator Externus
- Adductor Muscles
- Gracilis
What does the Posterior Branch of the Obturator Artery supply?
Some of the Deep Gluteal Muscles
Which Arteries supply the Gluteal Region?
- Superior Gluteal Artery
2. Inferior Gluteal Artery
Where do the Superior and Inferior Gluteal Arteries arise?
The Internal Iliac Artery
Where do the Superior and Inferior Gluteal Arteries enter into the Gluteal Region?
Via the Greater Sciatic Foramen
Where does the Superior Gluteal Artery leave the Greater Sciatic Foramen?
Above the Piriformis Muscle
Where does the Inferior Gluteal Artery leave the Greater Sciatic Foramen?
Below the Piriformis Muscle
In addition to the Gluteal Muscles, what does the Inferior Gluteal Artery contribute towards?
The Vasculature of the Posterior thigh
Where does the Popliteal Artery travel?
It descends down the Posterior Thigh
What branches does the Popliteal Artery give off in the Posterior Thigh?
Genicular Branches
What do Glenicular Branches of the Popliteal Artery supply?
The Knee Joint
Where does the Popliteal Artery travel after the Glenicular Branches are given off?
It moves through the Popliteal Fossa
What does the Popliteal Artery exit the Popliteal Fossa through?
It is sandwiched between:
- Gastrocnemius Muscle
- Popliteal Muscle
What happens to the Popliteal Artery at the lower border of the Popliteus?
The Popliteal Artery terminates
What happens to the Popliteal Artery as it terminates?
It Bifurcates into:
- Anterior Tibial Artery
- Tibioperoneal Trunk
What does the Tibioperoneal Trunk then divide into?
- Posterior Tibial Artery
2. Posterior Fibular Artery
Where does the Posterior Tibial Artery travel?
Inferiorly along the surface of the Deep Muscles (e.g. Tibialis Posterior)
What does the Posterior Tibial Artery accompany?
The Tibial Nerve
Where does the Posterior Tibial Artery enter into the Foot?
It enters into the Sole of the Foot via the Tarsal Tunnel
Where does the Posterior Fibular Artery travel?
Lateral from its point of origin
What does the Posterior Fibular Artery penetrate?
The Lateral Compartment of the Leg
What does the Posterior Fibular Artery supply?
- Muscles in the Lateral Compartment of the Leg
2. Adjacent Muscles in the Posterior Compartment of the Leg
Where does the Anterior Tibial Artery travel?
- Anteriorly, between the Tibia and Fibula, through a gap in the Interosseous Membrane
- It then moves Inferiorly down the Leg into the Foot
What does the Anterior Tibial Artery become as it enters into the Foot?
The Dorsalis Pedis Artery
What are the 2 Arteries which supply the Foot?
- Dorsalis Pedis Artery
2. Posterior Tibial Artery
Where does the Dorsalis Pedis Artery travel in the Foot?
- It passes over the Dorsal aspect of the Tarsal Bones
2. It then moves Inferiorly towards the Sole of the Foot
What happens to the Dorsalis Pedis Artery as it reaches the Sole of the Foot?
It anastomoses with the Lateral Plantar Artery
What is formed as the Dorsalis Pedis Artery anastomoses with the Lateral Plantar Artery?
It forms the Deep Plantar Arch
What does the Dorsalis Pedis Artery supply?
- The Tarsal Bones
- The Dorsal Aspect of the Metatarsals
- The Toes (via the Deep Plantar Arch)
What happens to the Posterior Tibial Artery as it enters into the Foot (Via the Tarsal Tunnel)?
It Splits into:
- The Lateral Plantar Artery
- The Medial Plantar Artery
What do the Lateral and Medial Plantar Arteries supply?
The Toes, Via the Deep Plantar Arch
