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Arteries of the lower limb

Femoral artery

  • Continuation of external iliac artery
  • Enters the thigh below the inguinal ligament
  • Lies midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and symphysis pubis
  • Passes through the lateral compartment of femoral sheath
  • Ends as popliteal artery at the opening of adductor magnus

Branches

  • Superficial external Iliac artery
  • Superficial epigastric artery
  • Superficial external pudendal artery
  • Deep external pudendal artery

Profunda femoris artery

  • Arises from the lateral aspect of femoral artery
  • Then passes behind it
  • Gives the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries and four perforating branches
  • Supplies the medial and posterior compartments of the thigh

Popliteal artery

  • Continuation of femoral artery
  • Divides into anterior and posterior tibial arteries
  • Anterior tibial artery continues as the dorsalis pedis artery

Author:  Dr Shakeeb Khan

 

 
 

Last updated: 05 January 2008

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