Femoral Triangle Flashcards
What are the boundaries of the femoral triangle?
base = Inguinal ligament
lateral wall = sartorius
medial wall = adductor longus
What makes up the floor of the femoral triangle?
pectineus and iliopsoas muscles
what makes up the roof of the femoral triangle?
fascia lata
what are the four contents of the femoral triangle?
femoral nerve and branches
femoral artery and branches
femoral vein and tributaries
femoral canal (empty space) with deep inguinal lymph nodes
What is the femoral sheath and its purpose?
it is a funnel shaped fascial tube; it encloses proximal parts of femoral vessels and femoral canal; allows smooth gliding of vessels
What are the compartments of the femoral sheath?
femoral artery (lateral), femoral vein (intermediate), femoral canal medial) (femoral nerve is not a part of this)
What does the femoral canal consist of and what does it do?
lymph vessels, loose connective tissue, and fat; it allows femoral vein to expand during increase venous return
What is the femoral ring?
the proximal opening of the femoral canal (1cm wide); covered by parietal peritoneum
What is a femoral hernia?
a weak area (femoral ring) in the anterior abdominal wall where a loop of small intestine can protrude into the femoral canal
What is the difference between direct and indirect inguinal hernia?
A direct hernia is due to weakness in the abdominal wall behind or lateral to the superficial Inguinal ring
An indirect hernia follows the spermatic cord through the deep and superficial Inguinal rings and Inguinal canal into scrotum
Where do inguinal lymph nodes drain lymph from?
lower limb, perineum and parts of anal canal, anterior abdominal wall (up to umbilicus)
What are the two groups of inguinal lymph nodes?
superficial and deep
What are the two types of superficial inguinal lymph nodes?
proximal (horizontal) and distal (vertical)
Where is the femoral nerve (L2-L4) and what does it innervate?
it is lateral to the midpoint of inguinal ligament (lateral to femoral vessels) and it innervates anterior thigh muscles, hip and knee joints
What are the muscles innervated by the femoral nerve?
iliacus, sartorius, quadriceps femoris, pectineus
What is meralgia paresthetica?
compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve as it passes under inguinal ligament; causes pain along lateral thigh
What is the saphenous nerve? What does it innervate?
a cutaneous branch that accompanies femoral vessels; it supplies the skin of anterior and medial knee and leg and the medial foot
What is the adductor canal?
an intermuscular passage or fascial tunnel that begins at the femoral triangle apex and ends at the adductor hiatus.
What exits through the medial side of the adductor canal?
saphenous nerve and branch of descending genicular artery
What is the adductor hiatus?
an opening in tendon of adductor magnus; femoral vessels reach popliteal fossa via this arch way
What is the chief arterial supply for the lower limb?
the femoral artery
what is the largest branch of the femoral artery?
profunda femoris artery
what is the main blood supply to the femoral head and neck?
medial circumflex femoral artery
what supplies the lateral thigh muscles and femur head?
lateral circumflex femoral artery
What are the three branches of the lateral circumflex femoral artery
ascending, transverse and descending
What are the clinical importances of the great saphenous vein?
it can be used to administer blood, electrolytes, drugs, etc. and for coronary bypass surgery
