Vessels of lower limb Flashcards
Give an overview of the vessels of the lower limb?
Describe the pathway of the profunda femoris artery?
Sits deep, running on adductor magnus
Sends a perforating branch through each of the holes in adductor magnus > posterior compartment of thigh
Also gives rise to anastamoses around proximal shaft of femur
Describe how the femoral artery transitions posteriorly to become the politeal artery?
Travels through the adductor hiatus
Which artery do the genicular anastamoses arise from?
Politeal artery
Describe where the anterior and posterior tibial arteries run?
Run either side of interosseous membrane
Where do arteries always run at joints?
On flexor aspect
Describe the arrangement of neurovascular structures in the inguinal region?
Medial to lateral: VAN
Describe the anatomy of the femoral sheath?
Medial to lateral: dead space, vein, artery
Describe the anatomy of the femoral ring?
Femoral vein is lateral
Lacunar ligament is medial
Inguinal ligament is anterior
Pectineus is posterior
Why is a femoral hernia more likely to strangulate than an inguinal hernia?
Very rigid boundaries
Which vessek runs through the adductor hiatus?
Femoral artery
(going posteriorly to form politeal artery)
Which structure runs with the femoral artery through the adductor hiatus?
Femoral vein
Describe how the tibial nerve, politeal artery and popliteal vein are related to each other anatomically?
Tibial nerve superifical to popliteal vein
Popliteal vein superificial to politeal artery
Superficial to deep: NVA
Describe the pathway of the anterior tibial artery as it passes onto the dorsum of the foot?
Passes under extensor retinaculum (between EHL and tibial nerve) > becomes dorsalis pedis > heads towards first web space
Describe the pathway of the posterior tibial artery as it passes onto the sole of the foot?
Passes under flexor retinaculum (between FDL and posterior tibial vein) > divides into medial and lateral plantar and fibular arteries
Describe compartment syndrome?
Increased pressure in muscular compartment > unable to be relieved due to rigid boundaries
Leads to ischaemia > infarction > oedema > greater increase in pressure…
Describe the signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome?
Painful
Pale
Pulseless
Paraesthetic (pins and needles, loss of sensation)
Paralysed
Describe the pathway of the great saphenous vein?
Dorsal venous arch > anterior to medial malleolus > medial side of leg > hands breadth behind patella > medial thigh > saphenous opening (in fascia lata, just below inguinal ligament)
Which vein drains the superficial lower limb?
Anterior: great saphenous vein
Posterior: short saphenous vein
Describe the pathway of the short saphenous vein?
Dorsal venous arch > posterior to lateral malleolus > posterior leg > popliteal fossa > pierces deep fascia > joins venae comitantes of anterior and posterior tibial veins
Describe how varicose veins develop?
Incompetent valves > dilated, tortuous superificial veins > increased capillary pressure > extrusion of blood and products into soft tissue > brown pigmentation, venous eczema, ulceration
Occurs when blood is visible in superificial veins
Blood should only flow superficial to deep, so superificial should be empty most of the time
