View source for Femoral artery

{{Infobox Artery |
  Name        = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Latin       = arteria femoralis |
  GraySubject = 157 |
  GrayPage    = 623 |
  Image       = Gray546.png |
  Caption     = Structures passing behind the [[inguinal ligament]]. (Femoral artery labeled at upper right.) |
  Image2      = Femoral_artery_and_branches.gif |
  Caption2    = Femoral artery and its major branches - right thigh, anterior view. |
  BranchFrom  = [[external iliac artery]] |
  BranchTo    = [[Superficial epigastric artery]]<BR>[[Superficial iliac circumflex artery|Superficial iliac circumflex]]<BR>[[Superficial external pudendal artery|Superficial external pudendal]]<BR>[[Deep external pudendal artery|Deep external pudendal]]<BR>[[Deep femoral artery]]|
  Vein        = [[femoral vein]] |
  Supplies    = [[anterior compartment of thigh]] |
  MeshName    = Femoral+Artery |
  MeshNumber  = A07.231.114.35 |
  DorlandsPre = a_61 |
  DorlandsSuf = 12154275  |
}}

{{CMG}}

==Overview==

The '''femoral artery''' is a large [[artery]] in the muscles of the [[thigh]]. 

==Structure==
The femoral artery is a continuation of the [[external iliac artery]], which comes from the abdominal [[aorta]].

The external iliac artery becomes known as the femoral artery after it passes under the [[inguinal ligament]]. For a while at this location, (the [[femoral triangle]]), it is sometimes referred to as the ''common femoral'', because it has not yet branched.

It usually gives off a branch known as the [[profunda femoris artery]] or the ''deep artery of the thigh'', while continuing down the thigh medial to the [[femur]]. (The profunda femoris is even closer to the femur, and is more posterior).  

The femoral artery goes through the [[adductor hiatus]] (a hole in the [[tendon]] of [[adductor magnus]]), into the posterior of the knee. Passing between the [[condyle]]s of the [[femur]], it becomes the [[popliteal artery]] of the [[popliteal fossa]].

===Branches===
The femoral artery usually gives off the following branches:
* [[superficial epigastric artery]]
* [[Superficial circumflex iliac artery]]
* [[Superficial external pudendal artery]]
* [[Deep external pudendal artery]]
* [[Deep femoral artery]]
* [[Descending genicular artery]]

==Clinical significance==
The femoral artery [[pulse]] can be [[palpation|palpated]] at the [[femoral triangle]].

==Use of the term ''superficial femoral artery''==
Some specialist [[physicians]] (e.g. [[radiologist]]s, [[vascular surgeon]]s) call the femoral artery the ''superficial femoral artery'' after the profunda femoris artery branch point (to differentiate the femoral artery segments before and after the branch point).  This term, historically, has ''not'' been used by anatomists and has fallen out of favour with most physicians because it has led to considerable confusion with its accompanying vein, the [[femoral vein]], which if called ''superficial femoral vein'' might incorrectly be assumed to be a [[superficial vein]], as opposed to a [[deep vein]]. (See article on [[femoral vein]] for more detailed discussion.)

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Gray344.png|Structures surrounding right hip-joint. 
 Image:Gray432.png|Cross-section through the middle of the thigh.
 Image:Gray545.png|Femoral sheath laid open to show its three compartments.
 Image:Gray549.png|The left femoral triangle.
 Image:Gray550.png|The femoral artery.
 Image:Gray1146.png|The spermatic cord in the inguinal canal.
 Image:Gray1245.png|Front of right thigh, showing surface markings for bones, femoral artery and femoral nerve.
</gallery>

==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|12|05|01|01}}
* {{ViennaCrossSection|pelvis/pelvis-e12-15}}
* [http://anatomy.med.umich.edu/surface/pulses/pulses.html Image at umich.edu - pulse]
* [http://kobiljak.msu.edu/CAI/ANT551/Unit04/Topic07/U4_L7_O1.html Diagram at MSU]

{{Arteries of lower limbs}}

[[Category:Arteries]]
[[Category:Lower limb anatomy]]
[[Category:Anatomy]]
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