Femoral triangle and canal Flashcards
What is the femoral triangle
A hollow area in the anterior thigh, many neurovascular structures pass through this area and can be accessed relatively easily.
What are the contents of the femoral triangle?
Femoral nerve- Innervates anterior thigh
Femoral artery-
Femoral vein-great saphenous vein drains into this
Femoral canal- contains deep lymph vessels
What are the borders of the femoral triangle?
Superior border- inguinal ligament, that runs from the anterior superior iliac spine to the pubic tubercle
Lateral border- medial border of sartorius muscle
Medial border- medial border of adductor longus muscle
Floor- pectineus iliopsoas and adducor longus
roof- fascia lata
How are the structures arranged within the femoral triangle? (Medial got lateral)
Femoral canal
Vein
Artery
Nerve
How is the femoral artery arranged within the leg
Superficially so it has easy access for a range of procedures such as coronary angiography
Ignore this
—
What does the femoral canal contain?
Lymphatic vessels
Deep lymph nodes (lacunar node)
Empty space
Loose connective tissue
Why is there an empty space in the femoral canal
To allow distension of the adjacent femoral vein, to be able to cope with increased venous return
What commonly occurs at the femoral canal?
Femoral hernia- where the small intestine pushes through the femoral ring (at enterence of femoral canal)