Femoral Artery

Course

• Enters thigh at point midway between Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS) and Pubic Symphysis (Mid-Inguinal point)
• Lies on Psoas Major tendon, which separates it from capsule of hip joint
  • This is the point where its pulse can be felt and where arterial catheterization can occur
• Emerges from Femoral Sheath
• Courses downwards and enters Adductor Canal deep to Sartorius

Branches

• Four small branches below Inguinal Ligament
  1. Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery
  2. Superficial Epigastric Artery
  3. Superficial External Pudendal Artery
  4. Deep External Pudendal Artery
• One large branch just below the termination of the Femoral Sheath
  • Profunda Femoris – chief artery of the thigh

Surface Marking

• With the hip slightly flexed and laterally rotated
• Midpoint between Pubic Symphysis and ASIS along the upper 2/3rd of a line towards the Adductor Tubercle

Surgical Approach

• In the Adductor Canal through an incision on the medial aspect of the lower thigh
  • Sartorius retracted medially and fascial roof of canal divided