Lower Limb - Neurovascular Structures in Anteromedial Thigh (1)

Question 1

Name the three boundaries of the femoral triangle.

Answer 1

1) Sartorius
2) Inguinal ligament
3) Adductor longus (lateral border)

Question 2

Which muscles lie in the floor of the femoral triangle?

Answer 2

Iliopsoas and pectineus.

Question 3

What forms the roof of the femoral triangle?

Answer 3

Fascia lata.

Question 4

What are the contents of the femoral triangle?

Answer 4

Femoral nerve and its terminal branches.
Femoral sheath.
Great saphenous vein traversing the saphenous opening of the fascia lata and emptying into the femoral vein.

Question 5

What are the contents of the femoral sheath, from medial to lateral?

Answer 5

Deep inguinal lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels.
Femoral vein.
Femoral artery.

Question 6

What is the adductor canal? Where is its proximal origin and distal terminus? What does it contain?

Answer 6

This is an aponeurotic tunnel running down the thigh, transmitting the femoral artery and vein, and branches of the femoral nerve (saphenous nerve and nerve to vastus medialis). It starts at the apex of the femoral triangle, runs deep to sartorius, and ends in the adductor hiatus near the knee.

Question 7

What is the femoral sheath?

Answer 7

The femoral sheath is a 3-4cm long fascial tube that passes deep to the inguinal ligament. It contains the femoral artery, vein, and femoral canal. It does NOT enclose the femoral nerve.

Question 8

What is the femoral canal? Describe in detail.

Answer 8

The femoral canal is the most medial compartment of the femoral sheath. It contains lymphatics. Its base is called the femoral ring. If bowel travels down the femoral sheath and protrudes through the femoral ring, this is called a femoral hernia.

Question 9

Describe the major arteries of the thigh.

Answer 9

The abdominal aorta –> branches into external iliacs –> becomes femoral artery –> gives off the deep artery of the thigh.

Question 10

Describe the course of the femoral artery.

Answer 10

A continuation of the external iliac artery, it commences at the inguinal ligament –> descends through the femoral triangle –> into the adductor canal –> traverses the adductor hiatus, where its name changes to popliteal artery.

Question 11

Describe the course of the deep artery of the thigh.

Answer 11

This is the largest branch of the femoral artery, arising from it in the middle of the femoral triangle. It travels deep in the thigh, giving off 3-4 perforating braches that pass through adductor magnus, all winding around the femur to supply other muscles.