Femoral Triangle Flashcards
What are the 4 contents of the femoral triangle
- Femoral N.
- Femoral A.
- Femoral V.
- Femoral Canal
What are the borders of the femoral triangle
Superiorly (Base), the inguinal L.
Medially - adductor longus M.
Laterally (apex) - saritorious M.
Draw the fem. triangle
Draw
What makes up the floor of the fem. triangle
Laterally - Iliacus M.
Medially - Pectineus M.
What makes up the roof of the femoral triangle?
Fascia lata
What does the femoral N. Terminate into
The saphenous N.
What aspects of the leg does the femoral N. Innervate cutaneously with afferent fibers
Anteromedial region aspects of the leg, foot , and knee
What two veins feed into the femoral V.
The saphenous V. And the profunda femoris V.
What is the femoral canal and what is its purpose
Empty space with deep inguinal lymph nodes
Allows for expansion of femoral V. With higher blood pressure
Where do femoral hernia’s usually occur?
At the femoral ring
What are the three components of the femoral sheath
A/V/L
Does the femoral sheath contain the femoral N.?
NO
The femoral sheath is pieced by what?
The great saphenous V. As it comes up to the Femoral V.
What is the relationship fo the Femoral Ring to the Femoral Sheath
The femoral ring makes up the most medial femoral canal opening within the femoral sheath. It is here that hernias can occur
The femoral sheath lies where anatomically
Inferiorly to the inguinal ligament
What are the two types of Inguinal Lymph Nodes
- Superficial Inguinal Lymph Nodes
2. Deep Inguinal Lymph Nodes
What is the purpose and action of Superficial Inguinal Lymph Nodes
Two types: proximal (horizontal) and distal (vertical)
Distal are on each side of the great saphenous V.
Each type drains lymph into the Deep Inguinal Lymph Nodes
Describe Deep Inguinal Lymph Nodes
1-3 nodes along medial side of fem. V.
Located inside fem. canal
What SC nerves innervate the femoral N.
L2 - L4
Describe meralgia paresthetica
Compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous N. As it passes under the inguinal ligament
Causes pain along lateral thing.
Describe the adductor canal
Travels from apex of femoral triangle to adductor hiatus
Provides inter-muscular passage for femoral vessels
What is the adductor hiatus
Opening in the tendon of adductor magnus that allows for the passage of fem. vessels.
What passes through the medial side of the adductor canal
The saphenous N. And saphenous branch of the descending genicular A.
List the flow of blood within the LE blood system A’s.
Fem. A - > deep femoral A. - > Popliteal A.
The deep femoral A. Passes behind what muscle
Adductor longus M.
The deep femoral A. Gives rise to what that supply the femur
Perforating A.’s (usually 3)
The Deep femoral A. Gives rise to what two important A.’s
Medial circumflex femoral A.
Lateral circumflex femoral A.
What is the purpose of the medial circumflex femoral A.
Main supply to the femur head/neck and posterior thigh
What is the main supply of the lateral cir. Fem. A.
Lateral thigh and some of the femur head
What are the three parts of the lateral cir. Fem. A.
Ascending branch
Transverse branch
Descending branch
What is the main blood supply for the thigh muscles
The deep femoral A.
Why do varicose veins occur and what are the symptoms
Valves are incompetent due to dilation or rotation and no longer function properly, causing blood to flow backwards
What is venous stasis and what is its cause
Stagnation of blood that can cause a DVT
Caused by:
Loose fascia that fails to resist muscle expansion, which reduces the effectiveness of the musculovenous pumps
External pressure on the veins from hemorrhage
Muscle inactivity
Why is the great saphenous V. Sometimes used for CABG
- Readily accessible
- Sufficient distance away from tributaries
- Higher percentage of elastic fibers
Where can a nerve block be performed on the femoral N.
2 cm. Inferior to inguinal L. And aprox. 1 finger breath Lateral to Fem A.
Why is the femoral A. An easy place for access for different things
How superficial it is
Describe how to palpate a femoral pulse
Pulse may be palpated midway between the ASIS and the pubic symphysis
Place 5th digit on ASIS and thumb on public tubercle, fem. pulse can be felt with mid-palm, just inferior to inguinal ligament
Why does an arteriovenous shunt occur?
Occurs post trauma as a result of communication between injured vessels
What is the cruciate anastomosis
A four-way common meeting of the medial and lateral circumflex fem. A’s
Not very common
What is a saphenous varix and what does it cause
A localized dilation of the terminal part of the great saphenous V.
May cause edema in femoral triangle and varicose veins in lower limbs
Femoral hernias are more common in who
Women than men
What is a strangulation of a femoral hernia and why does it occur
Occurs because of the sharp, rigid boundaries of the femoral ring, particularly the concave margin of the lacunar L.
Strangulation interferes with the blood supply to the herniated intestine which may result in necrosis
