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Femoral artery

Overview of the femoral artery and its branches from an anterior view.

The femoral artery is a continuation of the external iliac artery and constitutes the major blood supply to the lower limb. In the thigh, the femoral artery passes through the femoral triangle, a wedge-shaped depression formed by muscles in the upper thigh. The medial and lateral boundaries of this triangle are formed by the medial margin of adductor longus and the medial margin of sartorius, respectively.

Fascia lata constitutes the roof of the femoral triangle, whilst the floor is formed by pectineus and adductor longus medially as well as by iliacus and psoas major laterally. Within this triangle, the femoral artery is enclosed in a femoral sheath with the femoral vein. The femoral artery and its branches supply most of the thigh as well as the entirety of the leg and foot.

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the femoral artery.

Key facts
Source External iliac artery
Branches Descending genicular artery, Profunda femoris artery, Superficial epigastric, Superficial circumflex iliac, Superficial external pudendal, Deep external pudendal arteries
Mnemonic:
Do Princesses Sew Sweet Superhero Dresses?
Continuation Popliteal artery
Vein Femoral vein
Supplies Anterior compartment of the thigh
Clinical significance Cannulation, lacerations, occlusion
Contents
  1. Anatomical course
  2. Anatomical relations
    1. Inside the femoral triangle
    2. Inside the adductor canal
  3. Anatomical variation
  4. Branches
    1. Superficial epigastric artery
    2. Superficial circumflex iliac artery
    3. Superficial external pudendal artery
    4. Deep external pudendal artery
    5. Profunda femoris
    6. Descending genicular artery
  5. Mnemonic
  6. Clinical notes
    1. Femoral pulse
    2. Cannulation
    3. Lacerations
    4. Occlusions
  7. Sources
+ Show all

Anatomical course

Midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic symphysis, the external iliac artery passes under the inguinal ligament into the femoral triangle and becomes the femoral artery. The artery then travels down the anteromedial aspect of the thigh before it passes through the adductor (subsartorial) canal. When the femoral artery passes through the adductor hiatus it becomes the popliteal artery.

Anatomical relations

Inside the femoral triangle

Relationships of the femoral artery to other structures within the thigh can be important in clinical practice. Within the femoral triangle, the femoral artery is located deep to the:

At the apex of the femoral triangle, the medial femoral cutaneous nerve crosses the artery in a lateral to medial direction.

Within the triangle, the tendons of psoas major, pectineus and adductor longus pass deep to the femoral artery. Proximally, the femoral vein is medial to the femoral artery within the sheath. At the apex of the triangle, the vein is found deep to the artery. 

You can use the mnemonic NAVY to remember the content order of the femoral triangle, from lateral to medial: 

  • Nerve
  • Artery
  • Vein
  • lYmphatics (femoral canal)

Looking for a fast and efficient way to revise this topic? Try making your own flashcards.

Inside the adductor canal

Within the adductor canal, the femoral artery is located deep to the:

The artery is superficial to the adductor magnus and longus muscles. Both the saphenous nerve and femoral vein vary in their location in relation to the femoral artery. The saphenous nerve is initially found lateral to the femoral artery, but is also found anterior and then medial to the artery as it travels through the canal. Proximally, the femoral vein is found deep to the artery but is found lateral to the artery distally. The vastus medialis muscle and its nerve are located anterolateral to the femoral artery.

Learn everything about the femoral artery anatomy and function here:

Anatomical variation

Distal to the origin of the profunda femoris artery, the femoral artery rarely divides into two trunks, which reunite near the adductor hiatus. Occasionally, the artery is replaced by the inferior gluteal artery, which accompanies the sciatic nerve as it travels towards the popliteal fossa. In this case, the external iliac artery ends as the profunda femoris artery.

Branches

The femoral artery gives off five branches in the femoral triangle and one in the adductor canal, to give six in total. These branches are described below.

Superficial epigastric artery

The superficial epigastric artery arises from the femoral artery, 1 cm distal to the inguinal ligament. It travels through the cribiform fascia and ascends towards the umbilicus within the abdominal superficial fascia. It supplies the skin, superficial fascia and superficial inguinal lymph nodes.​

Superficial circumflex iliac artery

The superficial circumflex iliac artery is the smallest branch of the femoral artery. It arises near the superficial epigastric artery. Lateral to the saphenous opening, the artery passes through the fascia lata before coursing towards the anterior superior iliac spine. Like the superficial epigastric artery, it supplies the skin, superficial fascia and superficial inguinal lymph nodes.

Superficial external pudendal artery

The superficial external pudendal artery arises near the superficial epigastric and superficial circumflex iliac arteries. It travels through the cribiform fascia before crossing the spermatic cord deep to the long saphenous vein. It supplies the lower abdominal skin as well as the penile, scrotal or labial skin.

Deep external pudendal artery

The deep external pudendal artery crosses the pectineus and adductor longus muscles before traversing the fascia lata. It supplies the skin of the perineum as well as the skin of the scrotum or labium majus.

Profunda femoris

Profunda femoris, also known as the deep artery of the thigh is the largest branch of the femoral artery, which arises 3.5 cm distal to the inguinal ligament. The profunda femoris is initially found lateral to the femoral artery before it passes deep to it towards the medial aspect of the femur. It travels between the pectineus and adductor longus muscles before passing between the adductor longus and adductor brevis muscles. It then descends between the adductor longus and adductor magnus muscles before it pierces the adductor magnus to anastamose with the muscular branches of the popliteal artery. The profunda femoris is the main blood supply to the muscles that extend, flex and adduct the thigh.

Descending genicular artery

Descending genicular artery is the most distal branch of the femoral artery, which arises just proximal to the adductor opening within the adductor canal. It descends within the vastus medialis muscle to the medial aspect of the knee. Here, it anastomoses with the medial superior genicular artery. Branches of this artery supply the vastus medialis and adductor magnus muscles as well as the proximomedial skin of the thigh.

Solidify your knowledge about the femoral artery and its branches with our quiz:

Mnemonic

In order to easily remember the branches of the femoral artery you can use the following mnemonic; Do Princesses Sew Sweet Superhero Dresses?

  • Descending genicular artery
  • Profunda femoris artery
  • Superficial epigastric
  • Superficial circumflex iliac
  • Superficial external pudendal
  • Deep external pudendal arteries

For a broader topic focus, you can try our quiz on the neurovasculature of the lower limb.

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