Neurovasculature of the lower limb Flashcards
What are the superior and inferior gluteal arteries branches of?
internal iliac arteries
What are the arteries of the gluteal region? (in order of course) (9)
- superior gluteal
- inferior gluteal
- medial femoral circumflex
- lateral femoral circumflex artery
- deep artery of the thigh
- first perforating artery
- femoral artery
- second perforating artery
- third perforating artery
What do the arteries around the hip also known as?
cruciate anastomosis
Which branches does the cruciate anastomosis involve?
branches of internal iliac and profunda femurs arteries
Why is the cruciate anastomosis clinically important?
allows blood to bypass a blockage of the external iliac or proximal femoral arteries
= allows collateral supply
What is the artery that supplies the anterior compartment of the thigh, what is it a continuation of and what is it’s boundary?
femoral artery
continuation of external iliac artery
boundary - inguinal ligament
What are the arteries that supply the posterior compartment of the thigh?
4 perforating arteries
profunda femoris artery
What artery supplies the medial compartment of the thigh and what is it a branch of?
obturator artery
internal iliac artery
What is the femoral artery called when it enters the popliteal fossa from the anterior compartment of the thigh?
popliteal artery
When can pulsation of the popliteal artery be felt?
when knee is flexed
What does the genicular anastomosis allow?
maintenance of blood supply to the leg during knee flexion
as knee flexion may impinge the popliteal artery
What is the artery of the anterior compartment of the leg and where is it derived from?
anterior tibial artery
terminal branch of popliteal artery
What is the artery of the posterior compartment of the leg and where is it derived from?
posterior tibial artery
terminal branch of popliteal artery
What is the artery of the lateral compartment of the leg?
fibular artery
branch of posterior tibial artery
Where does the femoral artery go through to get to the popliteal fossa to become the popliteal artery?
adductor hiatus
What are the arteries of the dorsal aspect of the foot (top of foot) and what is it a continuation of?
dorsalis pedis artery
continuation of anterior tibial artery
What are the arteries of the plantar aspect of the foot (sole of the foot) and where are they derived from?
medial and lateral plantar arteries
bifurcation of posterior tibia artery
What is the deep plantar arch?
anastomosis of the deep plantar branch of the dorsal is pedis artery with lateral plantar artery
What plantar arch is present in only 5% of the population?
superficial plantar arch
What is important to do in palpation of lower limb arteries (pulses)?
compare left and right limbs
What arteries do you palpate (pulses) in the lower limb? (4)
- femoral - relatively superficial in groin
- popliteal - leg in flexion to open up pop fossa and compress it
- posterior tibial - behind medial malleolus of the ankle
- dorsalis pedis - anterior aspect of foot over dorsum - gap between 1st and 2nd toes
Where is the femoral artery in the femoral triangle?
quite superficial
As the femoral artery is quite superficial in the femoral triangle what is it vulnerable to?
injury and laceration
The femoral artery is easily accessible in people for what?
for ABG in emergencies if poor peripheral perfusion/pulses
for minimally invasive procedures (catheters):
- coronary angioplasty
- coronary angiography
- embolisation of berry aneurysm
What temporary problems can minimal invasive procedures cause?
- false aneurysms
- big haematomas
- bleeding
What is peripheral vascular disease (PVD)?
- arteries of the pelvis and lower limbs affected by atheroscelorosis
What can happen in peripheral vascular disease?
the lower limb arteries can become occluded by embolus or thrombus
What is acute ischaemia caused by?
acute occlusion by thrombus or emboli
usually by trauma or compartment syndrome
How worrying is acute ischaemia of the limb?
a medical emergency
requires urgent revascularisation
What is the presentation of acute ischaemic leg? (6Ps)
- pain - due to anaerobic reps of cells - build up of lactic acid
- pallor
- perishingly cold
- pulseless
- paraesthesia
- paralysis
What is the treatment for acute ischaemic leg?
- revascularisation to prevent tissue loss
- imaging will show site of occlusion
- graft from the common femoral to popliteal bypasses the occluded vessel
In acute ischaemia of the leg what do atheroscelorotic changes often affect which artery?
lower femoral artery
How does the body try to compensate for the acute ischaemic limb?
collateral circulation via anastomoses between branches of profunda femoris and popliteal
What are the symptoms of chronic ischaemia?
- assymptomatic
- mild intermittent claudication
- severe intermittent claudication
- rest pain/ night pain
- tissue loss/ ulceration/ gangrene
Why might the symptoms and signs of acute ischaemia be less marked in someone already affected by chronic ischaemia?
onset is slow
may not have much changes with 6 Ps
What is claudication?
pain when walking
What are the superficial veins of the lower limb?
- great saphenous veins
2. short saphenous vein
Where do the superficial veins lie?
subcutaneous tissue
superficial to deep fascia