Femoral artery
Encyclopedia
The femoral artery is a general term comprising a few large arteries
in the thigh. They begin at the inguinal ligament (femoral head) and end just above the knee at adductor canal
or Hunter's canal traversing the extent of the femur
bone.
The femoral artery is divided into three parts: The common femoral artery which divides into the deep femoral artery (a.k.a. Profunda
), which provides blood to the thigh, and the superficial femoral artery, which provides blood to the arteries that circulate the knee and foot.
. This connection occurs at the femoral triangle behind the inguinal ligament
which is usually near the head of the femur bone. That proximal section of the femoral artery, known specifically as the common femoral artery (CFA), leaves the femoral triangle through an apex beneath the sartorius
muscle. It then divides into a deep and superficial femoral. The deep vessel is more commonly known as the Profunda
which provides blood to the thigh. The other branch is the superficial femoral artery or SFA. The SFA connects to the popliteal artery
at the opening of adductor magnus or hunter's canal towards the end of the femur.
The branches of femoral arteries are (from proximal to distal) the superficial and deep external pudendal
, superficial epigastric, superficial circumflex iliac, profunda
femoris and descending genicular arteries
.
through the skin, it is often used as a catheter access artery. From the CFA wires and catheters can be directed anywhere in the arterial system for intervention or diagnostics including the heart, brain, kidneys, arms and legs. The direction of the needle in the CFA can be against blood flow (retro-grade), for intervention and diagnostic towards the heart and opposite leg, or with the flow (ante-grade or ipsi-lateral) for diagnostics and intervention on the same leg. Access in either the left or right CFA is possible and depends on the type of intervention or diagnostic.
The CFA is susceptible to peripheral arterial disease. When a CFA is blocked through atherosclerosis
, percutaneous
intervention with access from the opposite CFA may be needed. Endarterectomy
, a surgical cut down and removal of the plaque, of the CFA is also common.
The common femoral artery can be used to draw arterial blood when the blood pressure is so low that the radial or brachial arteries cannot be located.
The site for optimally palpating the femoral pulse is in the inner thigh, at the mid-inguinal point, halfway between the pubic symphysis and anterior superior iliac spine. Presence of a femoral pulse has been estimated to indicate a systolic blood pressure
of more than 50 mmHg, as given by the 50% percentile.
Artery
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. This blood is normally oxygenated, exceptions made for the pulmonary and umbilical arteries....
in the thigh. They begin at the inguinal ligament (femoral head) and end just above the knee at adductor canal
Adductor canal
The adductor canal is an aponeurotic tunnel in the middle third of the thigh, extending from the apex of the femoral triangle to the opening in the Adductor magnus, the Adductor hiatus.-Boundary:...
or Hunter's canal traversing the extent of the femur
Femur
The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
bone.
The femoral artery is divided into three parts: The common femoral artery which divides into the deep femoral artery (a.k.a. Profunda
Profunda
Profunda may refer to:*Profunda brachii*Profunda femoris artery or vein*Pumpkin ash, Fraxinus profunda...
), which provides blood to the thigh, and the superficial femoral artery, which provides blood to the arteries that circulate the knee and foot.
Anatomy
The femoral arteries receive blood through the external iliac arteryExternal iliac artery
The external iliac arteries are two major arteries which bifurcate off the common iliac arteries anterior to the sacroiliac joint of the pelvis. They proceed anterior and inferior along the medial border of the psoas major muscles...
. This connection occurs at the femoral triangle behind the inguinal ligament
Inguinal ligament
The inguinal ligament is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. Its anatomy is very important for operating on hernia patients.-Anatomy:...
which is usually near the head of the femur bone. That proximal section of the femoral artery, known specifically as the common femoral artery (CFA), leaves the femoral triangle through an apex beneath the sartorius
Sartorius muscle
The Sartorius muscle – the longest muscle in the human body – is a long thin muscle that runs down the length of the thigh. Its upper portion forms the lateral border of the femoral triangle.-Origin and insertion:...
muscle. It then divides into a deep and superficial femoral. The deep vessel is more commonly known as the Profunda
Profunda
Profunda may refer to:*Profunda brachii*Profunda femoris artery or vein*Pumpkin ash, Fraxinus profunda...
which provides blood to the thigh. The other branch is the superficial femoral artery or SFA. The SFA connects to the popliteal artery
Popliteal artery
In human anatomy, the popliteal artery is defined as the extension of the "superficial" femoral artery after passing through the adductor canal and adductor hiatus above the knee...
at the opening of adductor magnus or hunter's canal towards the end of the femur.
The branches of femoral arteries are (from proximal to distal) the superficial and deep external pudendal
Superficial external pudendal artery
The superficial external pudendal artery arises from the medial side of the femoral artery, close to the superficial epigastric artery and superficial iliac circumflex artery.-Course and target:...
, superficial epigastric, superficial circumflex iliac, profunda
Profunda
Profunda may refer to:*Profunda brachii*Profunda femoris artery or vein*Pumpkin ash, Fraxinus profunda...
femoris and descending genicular arteries
Descending genicular artery
The descending genicular artery arises from the femoral artery just before it passes through the opening in the tendon of the Adductor magnusIt immediately divides into:* Saphenous branch of descending genicular artery...
.
Clinical significance -–Common Femoral Artery
As the Common femoral artery (CFA) can often be palpatedPalpation
Palpation is used as part of a physical examination in which an object is felt to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location...
through the skin, it is often used as a catheter access artery. From the CFA wires and catheters can be directed anywhere in the arterial system for intervention or diagnostics including the heart, brain, kidneys, arms and legs. The direction of the needle in the CFA can be against blood flow (retro-grade), for intervention and diagnostic towards the heart and opposite leg, or with the flow (ante-grade or ipsi-lateral) for diagnostics and intervention on the same leg. Access in either the left or right CFA is possible and depends on the type of intervention or diagnostic.
The CFA is susceptible to peripheral arterial disease. When a CFA is blocked through atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol...
, percutaneous
Percutaneous
In surgery, percutaneous pertains to any medical procedure where access to inner organs or other tissue is done via needle-puncture of the skin, rather than by using an "open" approach where inner organs or tissue are exposed .The percutaneous approach is commonly used in vascular procedures...
intervention with access from the opposite CFA may be needed. Endarterectomy
Endarterectomy
Endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the atheromatous plaque material, or blockage, in the lining of an artery constricted by the buildup of soft/hardening deposits. It is carried out by separating the plaque from the arterial wall....
, a surgical cut down and removal of the plaque, of the CFA is also common.
The common femoral artery can be used to draw arterial blood when the blood pressure is so low that the radial or brachial arteries cannot be located.
The site for optimally palpating the femoral pulse is in the inner thigh, at the mid-inguinal point, halfway between the pubic symphysis and anterior superior iliac spine. Presence of a femoral pulse has been estimated to indicate a systolic blood pressure
Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually refers to the arterial pressure of the systemic circulation. During each heartbeat, BP varies...
of more than 50 mmHg, as given by the 50% percentile.