Femoral Triangle Flashcards
What are the borders of the femoral triangle?
Superior – Inguinal Ligament
Medial – Lateral border of Adductor Longus M.
Lateral – Medial border of Sartorius M.
What is the apex of the femoral triangle?
Where the medial border of the Sartorius M. crosses the lateral border of the Adductor Longus M.
This landmark of the femoral triangle runs from the ASIS to the Pubic Tubercle.
Inguinal Ligament
What makes up the floor of the femoral triangle?
Iliacus M. (laterally)
Psoas Major M. (laterally)
Pectineus M. (medially)
***Together, Iliacus and Psoas Major can be called Iliopsoas M.
What is the roof of the femoral triangle (from deep to superficial)?
Fascia Lata
Cribriform Fascia
Subcutaneous Tissue
Skin
This thin, dense layer of CT surrounds the two thighs like a pair of pantyhose. It surrounds all surfaces of the skeletal muscles, thereby producing intermuscular septa.
Fascia Lata
The Fascia Lata divides the thigh into three muscular compartments, which are…
Medial
Anterior
Posterior
Most of the fibers of the Fascia Lata are oriented horizontally, however on the lateral surfaces of the thigh and proximal tibia its fibers are vertically oriented and known as the ________ ________.
Iliotibial Tract (IT Band)
The _________ of the Gluteus Maximus M. and Fascia Lata contributes to the formation of the Iliotibial Tract.
Aponeuroses
The Iliacus M. originates on the Ilium (of the hip bone) and the Psoas Major M. originates on T12-L5. Both of these muscles pass deep to the Inguinal Ligament to insert on the…
Lesser Trochanter of the Femur
What actions does the Iliopsoas M. perform?
Flex the hip or thigh
This fascia is superficial to the Fascia Lata and is only within the femoral triangle.
Cribriform Fascia
This space is deep to the Inguinal Ligament and provides an important passageway connecting the trunk to the LE. It has two compartments.
Retroinguinal Space
What are the compartments of the Retroinguinal Space?
Muscular compartment
Vascular compartment
What lies within the muscular compartment of the Retroinguinal Space?
Iliopsoas M.
Femoral N.
What lies within the vascular compartment of the Retroinguinal Space?
Femoral A.
Femoral V.
Lymphatic vessels (Femoral Canal)
The Femoral N. provides motor innervation to what muscles?
Iliacus M.
Quadriceps Femoris (4 muscles)
Sartorius M.
Pectinous M.
***Quadriceps Femoris consists of: Rectus Femoris M., Vastus Lateralis M., Vastus Intermedius M., and Vastus Medialis M.
What spinal nerves supply the Femoral N.?
L2-L4
The Femoral N. provides sensory innervation to what?
Cutaneous branches to the anterior and medial thigh
The extraperitoneal areolar tissue that surrounds the external iliac vessels in the abdomen extend into the anterior thigh as the ________ ________. This surrounds the femoral vessels and some lymphatic vessels deep to the Fascia Lata.
Femoral Sheath
The Femoral Sheath is a funnel-shaped sheath divided into what compartments? What are their contents?
Lateral Compartment – contains Femoral A.
Middle Compartment – contains Femoral V.
Medial Compartment (Femoral Canal) – Lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels
The Femoral Canal is continuous with the abdominal cavity via the _______ _______, or the superior opening of the Femoral Canal.
Femoral Ring
The Femoral Ring is closed by extraperitoneal fatty tissue that forms the transversely oriented _______ _______. The abdominal surface of this is covered by parietal peritoneum.
Femoral Septum
The Femoral Septum is pierced by lymphatic vessels connecting what lymph nodes?
Inguinal LNs to the External Iliac LNs
If abdominal viscera, such as the small intestine, protrudes through the Femoral Ring into the Femoral Canal, then what results?
Femoral Hernia
T/F. Femoral Hernias occur in males more frequently than women.
False. Femoral Hernias occur in females more often due to the differences in the osteology of the os coxae (hip bones).
This is a continuation of the Femoral N. that supplies cutaneous innervation to the medial leg and ankle.
Saphenous N.
What are the contents of the Femoral Triangle?
Femoral N.
Femoral A.
Femoral V.
Lymphatic vessels (Femoral Canal)
***Remember N.A.V.e.L
This is the continuation of the External Iliac A., and enters the thigh beneath the Inguinal Ligament midway between the ASIS and Pubic Tubercle.
Femoral A.
What are the branches of the Femoral A.?
External Pudendal A.
Superficial Circumflex Iliac A.
Superficial Epigastric A.
Profunda Femoris A. (Deep Femoral A.)
This branch of the Femoral A. supplies the penis and scrotum in the male, vulva and lower vagina in the female, plus the lower half of the anal canal.
External Pudendal A.
This branch of the Femoral A. supplies the lateral thigh.
Superficial Circumflex Iliac A.
This branch of the Femoral A. supplies the anterior abdominal wall inferior to the umbilicus.
Superficial Epigastric A.
This is the largest branch of the Femoral A. and has two circumflex branches that supply the hip joint and gluteal region.
Profunda Femoris A. (Deep Femoral A.)
What are the branches of the Profunda Femoris A.?
Medial Femoral Circumflex A.
Lateral Femoral Circumflex A.
***Also has 4 perforating arteries to the anterior, medial, and posterior thigh
This branch of the Profunda Femoris A. supplies the head and neck of the femur via its branches, the Posterior Retinacular As.
Medial Femoral Circumflex A.
***Anastomoses with Lateral Femoral Circumflex A.
This branch of the Profunda Femoris A. supplies muscles on the lateral side of the thigh.
Lateral Femoral Circumflex A.
***Anastomoses with Medial Femoral Circumflex A.
This is a procedure done through the Femoral A. It provides the doctor with a “road map” of the arteries in the heart and finds any areas of blockage. Can help in decision making for treatment of heart disease.
Cardiac Catheterization (also called Heart Cath or Coronary Angiogram)
A (FEMORAL/INGUINAL) hernia is below and lateral to the pubic tubercle, while a (FEMORAL/INGUINAL) hernia is above and medial to the pubic tubercle.
Femoral
Inguinal
These arteries branch off the Medial Femoral Circumflex A. and supply the head and neck of the Femur.
Posterior Retinacular As.
This vein is contained in the superficial fascia of the lower limb. It begins on the dorsum of the foot and ascent on the medial side of the leg.
Great Saphenous V.
The Great Saphenous V. continues on the medial thigh and passes through the Saphenous Hiatus to join the…
Femoral V.
These LNs lie medial to the Femoral V. within the Femoral Triangle. They receive deep lymph vessels of the lower limb, perineal region, and efferent vessels from the Superficial Inguinal LNs.
Deep Inguinal LNs
What do the Deep Inguinal LNs empty into?
External Iliac LNs
