Arteries 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
What is the external iliac artery?
The terminal branch of the abdominal aorta
When does the external iliac artery become the femoral artery?
When it crosses under the inguinal ligament and enters the femoral triangle
What arises from the femoral artery in the femoral triangle?
The profunda femoris artery
Where does the profunda femoris artery arise from?
The posterolateral aspect of the femoral artery
Where does the profunda femoris artery travel?
Posteriorly and distally
What does the profunda femoris artery give off?
Three main branches, perforating branches, the lateral femoral circumflex artery, and the medial femoral circumflex artery
What do the perforating branches of the profunda femoris artery consist of?
Three or four arteries that perforate the adductor magnus
What do the perforating branches of the profunda femoris artery contribute?
The supply of the muscles in the medial and posterior thigh
What course does the lateral femoral circumflex artery take?
Wraps around the anterior, lateral side of the femur
What does the lateral femoral circumflex artery supply?
Some of the muscles in the lateral side of the thigh
What course does the medial femoral circumflex artery take?
Wraps around the posterior side of the femur
What does the medial femoral circumflex artery supply?
The neck and head of the femur
What happens in a fracture of the femoral neck?
The medial femoral circumflex artery can easily be damaged, and avascular necrosis of the femur head can occur
What happens to the femoral artery after exiting the femoral triangle?
It continues down the anterior surface of the thigh
How does the femoral artery continue down the thigh?
Via a tunnel known as the adductor canal
What does the femoral artery do during its descent?
Supplies the anterior thigh muscles
Where does the adductor canal end?
At an opening in the adductor magnus, called the adductor hiatus
What happens as the femoral artery moves through the adductor hiatus?
It enters the posterior compartment of the thigh, proximal to the knee
What does the femoral artery become once it’s going through the adductor hiatus?
The popliteal artery
Where is the femoral artery located within the femoral triangle?
Superficially
What is the result of the femoral artery being located superficially within the femoral triangle?
It is easy to access, and therefore suitable for a range of clinical procedures
Give two procedures that the femoral artery can be used for
Coronary artery angiography
Drawing arterial blood gases