lower extremity veins and arteries Flashcards
where are the great and lesser saphenous vein found?
subcutaneous tissue of the lower extremity
what are the deep veins that the great and lesser saphenous vein communicate with?
perforating veins- anterior and posterior tibial
the great saphenous vein arises from?
the medial aspect of the dorsal venous arch
what accompanies the great saphenous vein as it ascends along the medial aspect of the leg?
the saphenous nerve
where does the great saphenous vein travel?
- it passes superiorly in front of the medial malleolus past the ankle joint
- then passes behind the knee and curves forward on the medial thigh
what opening does the great saphenous vein pass through and where does it terminate?
the saphenous opening of the fascia lata and it terminates at the femoral vein
what are the 3 tributaries of the great saphenous vein
superficial circumflex iliac vein, superficial epigastric vein, superficial or external pudendal
where does the lesser saphenous vein arise from?
the lateral aspect of the dorsal venous arch
where does the lesser saphenous vein travel?
- ascends behind the lateral malleolus as it passes the ankle joint
- follows the lateral border of the tendon calcaneus and runs the posterior aspect of leg
what nerve accompanies the lesser saphenous vein?
sural nerve
where does the lesser saphenous vein terminate?
popliteal vein and fossa
which vein is commonly used for coronary artery bypass?
great saphenous because it is long and has higher percentage of muscular and elastic fibers
what are 2 characteristics that makes the femoral triangle clinically important
- hernias are common here
2. arterial pressure point to control bleeding
boundaries of the femoral triangle
superior- inguinal ligament
lateral- sartorius
medial- adductor longus
contents of the femoral triangle (lateral to medial)
femoral nerve
femoral sheath (femoral artery and vein)
inguinal lymph nodes
contents of femoral triangle (medial to lateral)
inguinal lymph nodes
femoral sheath (artery and vein)
femoral nerve
what is the femoral sheath
connective tissue which encloses the femoral blood vessels and fascia covering the floor of the pelvic cavity
what is the function of the femoral sheath?
to allow femoral artery and vein to glide deep to the inguinal ligament during movements of hip joint
what are the 3 compartments of the femoral sheath?
lateral- femoral artery
intermediate- femoral vein
medial- femoral canal
the most medial and smallest of the 3 compartments formed from the femoral sheath is called the?
femoral canal
what is the purpose of the femoral canal?
the space allows the femoral vein to expand when there is increased venous return from the lower extremity
what does the femoral canal consist of?
adipose tissue and single lympathic lymph node
what is the opening in the roof of the femoral canal called?
femoral ring
where does a femoral hernia usually originate?
femoral ring- weak area in the floor of pelvic cavity
when a hernia is strangulated it means?
the blood supply to the herniated intestine is cut off and can cause blockage
what is the main arterial supply of the lower extremity?
femoral artery
the femoral artery is a continuation of what?
external iliac artery
when the femoral artery passes through the adductor hiatus it becomes?
the popliteal artery
what are the 5 branches of the femoral artery?
1 superficial 2 femoral profundus 3 lateral and medial circumflex 4 perforating arteries 5 descending genicular
the best place to take a pulse of the femoral artery is below the midpoint of?
the inguinal ligament- vessel compressed against pubic tubercle
the femoral vein is a continuation of?
the popliteal vein
as the femoral vein leaves the femoral triangle and enters the pelvis it becomes the?
external iliac vein
in the inferior part of the triangle, the femoral vein lies deep to the femoral artery and receives tributaries from?
femoral profundus and great saphenous vein
what is another structure associated with the popliteal vein in the popliteal fossa?
popliteal lymph nodes- there are numerous lymph nodes found within the triangle
what is a long narrow passageway that begins at the apex of the femoral triangle and ends at the adductor hiatus of the adductor magnus?
adductor canal or Hunter’s canal
the adductor canal provides an important passageway for what 3 structures?
femoral artery, femoral vein and saphenous nerve
what are the branches of the internal iliac artery that leave the pelvic cavity via the greater sciatic notch?
superior and inferior gluteal arteries
what does the superior gluteal artery supply?
glut max
glut med and min
tensor fascia lata
what does the inferior gluteal artery supply?
glut max
obturator internus
quadratus femoris
posterior thigh
contents of the popliteal fossa? 1 artery, 2 veins, 3 nerves and lymph nodes
popliteal artery
popliteal and lesser saphenous vein
common fibular, tibial and posterior femoral cutaneous nerve
popliteal lymph nodes
what is the deepest neurovascular structure of the popliteal fossa?
popliteal artery
what does the genicular anastomosis at the back of the knee do?
provide collateral circulation to the leg during flexion at the knee joint (when artery may be compressed)
where does the popliteal artery terminate?
inferior aspect of the fossa into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries
what is a popliteal aneurysm?
abnormal dilation of the artery which causes swelling and pain in the fossa
the bifurcation of the popliteal artery may become what?
an arterial embolism which would result in loss of blood to leg and foot
