The blood vessels of the thigh and gluteal region

Question 1

What is the main artery of the lower limbs and from which artery is it?

Answer 1

Common femoral artery

-continuation of external iliac artery when it crosses femoral triangle

Question 2

Describe the branches of the common femoral artery

Answer 2

1) Profunda femoris - branches off from posterolateral aspect of common femoral artery in femoral triangle
- gives other branches (LFCA, MFCA and perforating branches)

2) Superficial femoral artery - renamed common femoral artery once it give profunda femoris branch
- enters adductor canal

3) Popliteal artery - renamed superficial femoral artery once it leaves adductor hiatus
- enters posterior compartment

Question 3

What is the main vein of the lower limbs and from which vein in the legs is it from?

Answer 3

Femoral vein

-Popliteal vein once it enters adductor canal

Question 4

Where does the contents of the femoral vein go to?

Answer 4

External iliac vein

-Continuation of femoral vein as it leaves the thigh beneath inguinal ligament

Question 5

What are the 2 major superficial veins of the lower limbs?

Answer 5

Great (long) saphenous vein and small (short) saphenous vein

Question 6

Where is the great (long) saphenous vein from?

Answer 6

Formed by the dorsal venous arch of the foot and dorsal vein of the great toe

Question 7

Describe the pathway of the great (long) saphenous vein from the foot

Answer 7

1) Pass anteriorly to medial malleolus
2) Ascends medial side of leg (posterior to medial aspect of tibia)
3) Pass posterior to medial border of patella
4) Ascend medial thigh
5) Enter saphenous opening of fascia lata
6) Drain into femoral vein in the saphenofemoral junction in femoral triangle

Question 8

Where is the small (short) saphenous vein from?

Answer 8

Formed by the dorsal venous arch of the foot and the dorsal vein of the little toe

Question 9

Describe the pathway of the small (short) saphenous vein from the foot

Answer 9

1) Pass posterior to the lateral malleolus (lateral border of Achilles)
2) Ascends posterior leg
3) Pass between two heads of gastrocnemius
4) Drain into popliteal vein at saphenopopliteal junction in popliteal fossa

Question 10

What are the divisions of lymph vessels in the lower limbs?

Answer 10

Superficial (further subdivided into medial and lateral)

Deep

Question 11

Describe the superficial lymphatic vessels (medial and lateral)

Answer 11

Medial vessels follow the great saphenous vein and drain into superficial inguinal lymph nodes
Lateral vessels follow the small saphenous vein and drain into deep inguinal lymph nodes