Topography and origin of the deep femoral artery
The deep femoral artery (a. profunda femoris) is a crucial collateral in the circulatory system of the lower limb. By its diameter, this vessel is so large that in some cases it may equal the femoral artery itself.
As a rule, it originates from the posterolateral circumference of the femoral artery (less frequently from the posterior or posteromedial wall). Its origin is located at a distance of one to six centimeters below the inguinal ligament (lig. inguinale). The most important anatomical landmark when locating the vessel is the corresponding vein (v. profunda femoris), which always runs medial to the deep artery.
Medial femoral circumflex artery
The medial femoral circumflex artery (a. circumflexa femoris medialis) has a specific course. It runs medially, passing strictly posterior to the main femoral vessels in a transverse direction. It divides into its terminal branches near the medial margin of the iliopsoas muscle (m. iliopsoas).
- Superficial branch (r. superficialis) — continues in a transverse direction, heading toward the gracilis muscle (m. gracilis).
- Deep branch (r. profundus) — represents the direct continuation of the main arterial trunk. Along its path, it penetrates a narrow anatomical cleft formed by the pectineus muscle (m. pectineus) and the obturator externus muscle (m. obturatorius externus).
Within this muscular cleft, the deep branch further divides into two pathways:
- Ascending branch, which runs toward the gluteal region along the course of the obturator externus muscle, anastomosing with the gluteal arteries.
- Descending branch, running into the posterior compartment of the thigh. It courses through the space between the obturator externus and adductor minimus muscles, forming anastomoses with branches of the obturator artery and perforating arteries.
Lateral femoral circumflex artery
The lateral femoral circumflex artery (a. circumflexa femoris lateralis) is anatomically notable for being significantly larger than its medial counterpart. Its origin is usually located 1.5–2.0 cm below the level of origin of the deep femoral artery itself, although in some cases it may arise directly from the main trunk of the femoral artery.
The artery gives off several branches, among which the ascending and descending branches are the most functionally significant.
Ascending branch (r. ascendens) courses between the sartorius muscle (m. sartorius) and the rectus femoris muscle (m. rectus femoris). It runs superiorly and laterally, reaching the gluteal region. There it forms anastomoses with the superior gluteal artery. The clinical significance of this branch lies in its active participation in the formation of the trochanteric network located on the lateral surface of the greater trochanter of the femur (rete trochanterica).
Descending branch (r. descendens) runs inferiorly, passing in the space between the rectus femoris muscle and the vastus intermedius muscle (m. vastus intermedius). Its course terminates in the area of the knee joint, where it merges into the local arterial network and anastomoses with branches of the popliteal artery. This branch is of critical clinical significance: it serves as the main source of collateral blood supply to the lower limb in case of occlusion of the femoral artery at a level below the origin of the deep femoral artery.
Contents of the femoral triangle
Within the femoral triangle, there is a whole range of vital neurovascular bundles and muscular structures.
The muscular apparatus of this region includes the sartorius muscle (m. sartorius), tensor fasciae latae muscle (m. tensor fasciae latae), iliopsoas muscle (m. iliopsoas), rectus femoris muscle (m. rectus femoris), as well as the adductor group: adductor longus (m. adductor longus), adductor magnus (m. adductor magnus), and adductor brevis (m. adductor brevis). The pectineus muscle (m. pectineus) is also located here.
Among the vessels, besides the femoral artery and vein (a., v. femoralis) and external iliac vessels (a., v. iliaca externa), the deep circumflex iliac artery (a. circumflexa ilium profunda) and perforating arteries (aa. perforantes) are localized here.
Innervation of the structures of the triangle and adjacent areas is provided by the femoral nerve (n. femoralis), lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (n. cutaneus femoris lateralis), as well as the anterior and posterior branches of the obturator nerve (rr. anterior et posterior n. obturatorii). The most important bony and ligamentous landmarks in this zone are the pubic symphysis (symphysis pubica) and the inguinal ligament (lig. inguinale).
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What are the walls and boundaries of the femoral triangle?
The femoral triangle has three boundaries and a floor acting as the posterior wall.
| Border | Structure |
|---|---|
| Superior (base) | Inguinal ligament (lig. inguinale) |
| Lateral | Sartorius muscle (m. sartorius) |
| Medial | Adductor longus muscle (m. adductor longus) |
| Floor (posterior wall) | Iliopsoas muscle (m. iliopsoas) laterally and pectineus muscle (m. pectineus) medially |
What structures form the femoral canal?
The femoral canal consists of three walls and two apertures.
- Anterior wall — formed by the superficial layer of the fascia lata.
- Lateral wall — formed by the medial semi-circumference of the femoral vein (v. femoralis).
- Posterior wall — formed by the deep layer of the fascia lata (fascia iliopectinea).
- Deep ring — femoral ring (anulus femoralis).
- Superficial ring — saphenous hiatus (hiatus saphenus).
The medial wall of the canal is absent because the superficial and deep layers of the fascia fuse together.
Class and exam questions
Where does the deep artery of the thigh originate and at what level?
In most cases, it originates from the posterolateral semi-circumference of the femoral artery at a distance of 1 to 6 cm below the inguinal ligament.
Where does the deep femoral vein run in relation to the artery?
The corresponding vein is always located medial to the deep femoral artery.
Which arterial branch rescues the limb during femoral artery occlusion?
The descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery. It reaches the arterial network of the knee joint and anastomoses with branches of the popliteal artery, serving as the main source of collateral blood flow.
With which vessels does the ascending branch of the medial femoral circumflex artery anastomose?
It heads toward the gluteal region, where it forms anastomoses with the gluteal arteries.
What else to study on this topic
- Topography of the perforating arteries of the thigh (aa. perforantes)
- Muscular boundaries of the femoral triangle
- Formation of the trochanteric network (rete trochanterica)
- Arterial network of the knee joint and the involvement of deep femoral artery branches in it
- Anastomoses of the obturator artery branches
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