Femoral Artery Flashcards

Examine the femoral artery's origin, course, branches, muscular relations, collateral circulation, and important clinical landmarks.

Card 1 of 30Question

What is the femoral artery?

The principal artery supplying the lower limb, particularly the thigh.

In This Section

1. What is the femoral artery?

The principal artery supplying the lower limb, particularly the thigh.

2. Which artery continues as the femoral artery?

The external iliac artery.

3. Where does the external iliac artery become the femoral artery?

Deep to the inguinal ligament at the midinguinal point.

4. What is the midinguinal point?

The midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic symphysis.

5. Through which anatomical region does the proximal femoral artery pass?

The femoral triangle.

6. What are the boundaries of the femoral triangle?

The inguinal ligament superiorly, sartorius laterally, and adductor longus medially.

7. Which structures form the floor of the femoral triangle?

The iliopsoas and pectineus muscles, with contributions from adductor longus.

8. What is the lateral-to-medial arrangement of the main femoral triangle contents?

Femoral nerve, femoral artery, femoral vein, and femoral canal.

9. Which structure lies immediately medial to the femoral artery near the inguinal ligament?

The femoral vein.

10. What is the femoral sheath?

A fascial sleeve surrounding the proximal femoral artery, femoral vein, and femoral canal.

11. Is the femoral nerve enclosed within the femoral sheath?

No. It lies lateral to the sheath.

12. What is the general course of the femoral artery through the thigh?

It descends through the femoral triangle and adductor canal toward the adductor hiatus.

13. What are the boundaries of the adductor canal?

Vastus medialis anterolaterally, adductor longus and magnus posteriorly, and sartorius with the subsartorial fascia medially.

14. Which sensory nerve accompanies the femoral artery in the adductor canal?

The saphenous nerve, a branch of the femoral nerve.

15. Where does the femoral artery terminate?

At the adductor hiatus in the tendon of adductor magnus.

16. What is the continuation of the femoral artery after it passes through the adductor hiatus?

The popliteal artery.

17. What are the principal named branches of the femoral artery?

Superficial epigastric, superficial circumflex iliac, superficial external pudendal, deep external pudendal, profunda femoris, and descending genicular arteries.

18. Which branch of the femoral artery ascends toward the lower anterior abdominal wall?

The superficial epigastric artery.

19. Which branch of the femoral artery runs laterally toward the anterior superior iliac spine?

The superficial circumflex iliac artery.

20. Which branches of the femoral artery supply the external genital region?

The superficial and deep external pudendal arteries.

21. What is the profunda femoris artery?

The deep artery of the thigh and the principal arterial supply to most thigh muscles.

22. Where does the profunda femoris artery usually arise?

From the posterolateral aspect of the femoral artery, approximately 3 to 5 cm below the inguinal ligament.

23. What are the major branches of the profunda femoris artery?

The medial circumflex femoral, lateral circumflex femoral, and perforating arteries.

24. Which artery provides the major blood supply to the femoral head and neck in adults?

The medial circumflex femoral artery, especially through its retinacular branches.

25. What are the usual three branches of the lateral circumflex femoral artery?

Ascending, transverse, and descending branches.

26. What is the function of the perforating arteries of the profunda femoris?

They pass through adductor magnus to supply the posterior thigh and adjacent structures.

27. Which branch of the femoral artery contributes to the genicular anastomosis near the knee?

The descending genicular artery.

28. Where is the femoral arterial pulse palpated?

Immediately inferior to the inguinal ligament at the midinguinal point.

29. Against which bone can the proximal femoral artery be compressed to control bleeding?

The femoral head.

30. Why is the common femoral artery frequently used for vascular catheterization?

Its superficial location and relatively large diameter provide accessible entry into the arterial circulation.