Vessels of Lower Limb Flashcards
Which artery supplies the lower limb?
the external iliac
Where does the external iliac change its name to the femoral artery?
at the inguinal ligament
Where does the femoral artery changes its name to the popliteal artery?
as it goes through the adductor hiatus
Where does the popliteal artery divide and what does it divide into?
divides at the inferior border of popliteus into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries
Where does the fibular artery come from?
branches off the posterior tibial artery 1 inch after it divided from the popliteal artery
What is the profunda femoris?
a branch of the femoral artery which sits deep on adductor magnus and sends off branches through the holes in adductor magnus
What is the lateral femoral circumflex artery?
a branch of profunda femoris which supplies the the head and neck of the femur
What are the genicular anastamoses?
branches of the popliteal artery which supply the knee joint
What is the femoral canal?
a dead space in the femoral sheath which the femoral vein can expand into
What are the borders of the femoral canal?
laterally - the femoral vein, medially - the lacunar ligament, anteriorly - the inguinal ligament, posteriorly - pectineus
What is a femoral hernia?
where the abdominal contents pass through the femoral canal
Where does the anterior tibial artery run in the leg?
along the anterior aspect of the interosseus membrane
Where does the anterior tibial artery become dorsalis pedis?
at the dorsum of the foot
What is compartment syndrome?
because of the fascia of the compartments of the leg - a bleed and swelling in one compartment will lead to compression of the neurovascular structures which will produce ischaemia - the symptoms are palor, pain, pulselessness, paraesthesia and paralysis
Where are there paired vena comitantes in the leg?
below the level of the popliteal fossa
Where does the great saphenous vein travel?
on the medial side of the lower limb - comes from the medial side of the dorsal venous arch, goes in front of the medial malleolus, travels up the leg, goes a hands breadth behind the patella at the knee, up the medial side of the thigh then pierces the fascia at the saphenous opening to join the femoral vein
Where does the short saphenous vein travel?
comes off the lateral side of the dorsal venous arch, goes behind the lateral malleolus, travels up the back of the leg, joins the anterior and posterior tibial veins to become the popliteal vein
What are varicose veins?
engorged and torturous superficial veins due to incompetent valves
What are the branches of the posterior tibial artery?
fibular and medial and lateral plantar arteries
