MSK - Femoral Triangle

Question 1

What is the superior border of the femoral triangle?

Answer 1

• The inguinal ligament

- Runs from ASIS to the pubis tubercule

Question 2

What forms the lateral border of the femoral triangle?

Answer 2

The medial border of sartorius

Question 3

What forms the inferior border of the femoral triangle?

Answer 3

The medial border of adductor longus

Question 4

What forms the roof of the femoral triangle? (Anterior)

Answer 4

The fascia lata

Question 5

What forms the base of the femoral triangle? (Posterior)

Answer 5

• Pectineus
• Ilopsoas
• Adductor longus

Question 6

What are the contents of the femoral triangle?

Lateral to medial order please

Answer 6

• Femoral nerve
• Femoral artery
• Femoral vein (draining from great saphenous)
• Femoral canal (structure containing deep lymph nodes and vessels)

Question 7

What contains the femoral artery, vein and canal?

Answer 7

The femoral sheath (a fascial compartment)

Question 8

Where can the femoral pulse be palpated within the femoral triangle?

Answer 8

• Inferior to where the femoral artery crosses the inguinal ligament

(artery crosses midway between pubic symphysis and ASIS)

Question 9

What is the significance of feeling a femoral pulse?

Answer 9

Means that blood is reaching the lower extremitites

Question 10

Why is the femoral artery easy to access?

Answer 10

Located superficially within the femoral triangle

Question 11

Name two ways in which the femoral artery can be used clinically?

Answer 11

• For coronary angiographies

- Drawing blood for arterial blood gases

Question 12

What is a coronary angiography?

Answer 12

• Catheterisation of the femoral artery
• Tube is moved up external iliac artery, common iliac artery, aorta and into the coronary vessels
• Radioactive dye is then injected
• Thickening/blockages can be seen with an x-ray

Question 13

What happens during a femoral hernia?

Answer 13

• Part of the bowel impinges on the femoral canal, underneath the inguinal ligament
• Manifests as a lump in the femoral triangle

Question 14

What is the treatment of a femoral hernia?

Answer 14

Usually surgical intervention

Question 15

What is the femoral canal?

Answer 15

An anatomical area in the anterior thigh. It is the smallest and most medial part of the femoral sheath and measures ~1.3cm

Question 16

What are the four borders of the femoral canal?

Answer 16

• Medial = Lacunar ligament
• Lateral = Femoral vein
• Anterior border = Inguinal ligament
• Posterior border = Pectineal ligament, superior rami of the pubi and the pectineus muscle

Question 17

What is the opening/superior border of the femoral canal?

Answer 17

The femoral ring enclosed by a layer of connective tissue (femoral septum)

Question 18

What pierces the femoral septum?

Answer 18

Lymphatic vessels of the canal

Question 19

What are the contents of the femoral canal?

Answer 19

• Lymphatic vessels (drain deep inguinal lymph nodes)
• Deep lymph nodes - lacunar node
• Empty space
• Loose connective tissue

Question 20

What is the significance of the empty space?

Answer 20

• Allows distension of adjacent femoral vein

- Can cope with increased venous return/intra-abdominal pressure

Question 21

How is the femoral canal clinically relevant?

Answer 21

It is a common site of bowel herniation

Question 22

What is a femoral hernia? How does it present?

Answer 22

• Part of the small intestine pushes through the femoral ring
• A lump inferolaterally to the pubic tubercule

Question 23

Are femoral hernias more common in a certain population? Why?

Answer 23

• Yes, in women

- Have a wider bony pelvis

Question 24

How can a strangulated hernia arise?

Answer 24

Compression of the hernia by the borders of the femoral canal as they aren’t very extendible