Lower Limb Blood Supply Flashcards
What is the femoral artery a continuation of, and where does this occur?
External iliac artery, becomes femoral artery when it crosses under inguinal ligament and enters femoral triangle
What artery arises from the femoral artery in the femoral triangle?
Profunda femoris artery
Which 3 branches are given off by the profunda femoris artery and what do they each supply?
- Perforating branches: medial and posterior thigh
- Lateral femoral circumflex: lateral thigh
- Medial femoral circumflex: Head and neck of femur. AVN of femur head if damaged.
What does the femoral artery travel along after leaving the femoral triangle?
The adductor canal
What does the femoral artery supply during its descent down the adductor canal?
The anterior thigh muscles
Where does the adductor canal end?
The adductor hiatus, an opening within the adductor Magnus muscle
What does the femoral artery become when it enters the posterior compartment of the thigh?
Popliteal artery
Name a clinical procedure that makes use of the femoral artery within the femoral triangle
Coronary angiograph
Where does the obturator artery arise?
From the internal iliac artery
What does the obturator artery descend through?
The obturator canal
What does the obturator artery supply?
Pectineus, obturator externus, adductors, gracilis, deep gluteals
Which artery do the superior and inferior gluteal arteries arise from?
Internal iliac artery
Where do the gluteal arteries enter the gluteal region?
Via the greater sciatic foramen: superior = above piriformis, inferior = below piriformis
Which muscles does the popliteal artery leave the popliteal fossa between?
Gastrocnemius, popliteus
Where does the popliteal artery terminate and what does it give rise to?
Lower border of popliteus. Gives rise to anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
Where does the posterior tibial artery enter the plantar surface of the foot, and what structure accompanies it?
Tarsal tunnel, tibial nerve
Where does the fibular artery arise from?
Posterior tibial as it descends leg
What does the fibular artery supply?
Lateral and posterior leg muscles
What does the anterior tibial artery pass through to move anteriorly?
Interosseous membrane between tibia and fibula
What does the anterior tibial artery become in the foot?
Dorsalis pedis artery
Which nerve is at risk in a popliteal artery aneurysm? What would be the symptoms?
Tibial nerve.
Weakened / absent plantar flexion, paraesthesia of foot and postero-lateral leg
Which arteries make up the deep plantar arch of the foot?
Dorsalis pedis anastomosing with lateral plantar
What does the posterior tibial artery birfurcate into?
Medial and lateral plantar arteries
Where is the posterior tibial pulse felt?
Posterior to the medial malleolus
Where is the dorsalis pedis pulse felt?
Dorsum of foot, lateral to extensor hallucis longus
What forms the anterior tibial vein?
Drainage of some veins from dorsal venous arch
Which veins arise on the plantar aspect of the foot, and what does these combine to form?
Medial and lateral plantar veins, combine to form posterior tibial and fibular veins.
Where does the posterior tibial vein enter the leg?
With posterior tibial artery, posterior to medial malleoulus
Which veins unite to form the popliteal vein?
Anterior tibial, posterior tibial, fibular veins
Where does the popliteal vein enter the thigh
Via the adductor canal
Where does the femoral vein arise?
From the popliteal artery, when it enters the thigh
What is the deep vein of the thigh and what does it drain?
Thigh muscles via perforating veins, empties into distal femoral vein
Where do the superficial veins of the lower limb run?
Within subcutaneous tissue
What forms the great saphenous vein?
Dorsal venous arch, dorsal vein of great toe
Describe the course of the great saphenous vein at the ankle, leg, and knee.
Passes anterior to medial malleolus, ascends medial side of leg, travels posterior to the medial condyle
Where does the great saphenous vein terminate?
Drains into femoral vein immediately distal to inguinal ligament
What forms the small saphenous vein?
The dorsal venous arch and dorsal vein of the little toe
Describe the course of the small saphenous vein at the ankle and leg
Passes posteriorly to lateral malleolus, ascends posterior leg just lateral to the calcaneal tendon
Where does the small saphenous vein terminate?
Passes between the two heads of gastrocnemius and drains into popliteal vein in popliteal fossa
What is a varicose vein?
Vein that becomes dilated due to incompetence of valves.
