Summary of lower limb vessels

Question 1

Explain the course and branching of the femoral artery

Answer 1

Begins in the femoral triangle

Initial branches:

• Superficial circumflex iliac
• Superficial epigastric
• Superficial and feep external pudendal

Produces profunda femoris:

• Medial circumflex femoral
• Lateral circumflex femoral
• Perforating branches

Goes through the adductor hiatus

Question 2

Explain the course and branching of the popliteal artery

Answer 2

Through the adductor hiatus

Produces:

• Superior medial genicular
• Superior lateral genicular
• Middle genicular
• Inferior medial genicula
• Inferior lateral genicular
• Sural
• Anterior tibial

Divides into posterior tibial and peroneal arteries

Question 3

Explain the course and branching of the anterior tibial artery

Answer 3

• Goes though the interosseous membrane and produces anterior and posterior tibial recurrent
• Before passing under the extensor retinaculum, produces:
  
  • Anterior medial malleolar
  • Anterior later malleolar
• Passing under the extensor retinaculum -> dorsalis pedis artery
• Produces:
  
  • Medial tarsal
  • Lateral tarsal
  • Deep plantar
  • Dorsal metatarsal branches

Question 4

Explain the course and branching of the posterior tibial artery

Answer 4

• Produces two main branches as it passes under the flexor retinaculum:
  
  • Medial plantar artery
  • Lateral plantar artery
• Venous drainage can be divided into superficial and deep
• Generally, deep veins follow the arteries and are located in the deep fascia
• Two main superficial veins:
  
  • Great saphenous vein
  • Small saphenous vein

Question 5

Explain the course and branching of the great saphenous vein

Answer 5

• Produced from the dorsal venous arch of the foot and dorsal vein of the great toe
• Ascends up the medial side
• Anterior to the medial malleolus
• Drains into the femoral vein

Question 6

Explain the course and branching of the small saphenous vein

Answer 6

• Produced byt he dorsal venous arch of the foot and dorsal vein of the little toe
• Ascends up the posterior aspect
• Posterior to the lateral malleolus
• Empties into the popliteal vein