Anatomical features of branches of the femoral artery

Abstract

The basis branch of femoral artery is the deep artery of the hip. Numerous researches have shown a significant variation of origin and branching of the given vessel. In literature, variation of topographical relations between the origin of deep artery of the hip and inguinal ligament is described. Most often the artery originates 5-6 cm below inguinal ligament, rarely- just under it, and the rarest variant- at the level of inguinal ligament. Many authors describe lower origin of the artery- 10-11 cm from inguinal ligament. Also, it is known as origin of the deep artery of the hip from medical semicircle of the femoral artery and external iliac artery above inguinal ligament. At the beginning of the a. profunda femoris from postero- external edge of the femoral artery, it goes downwards and laterally. If the vessel originates from the back semicircle, it goes along the posterior wall, then passes under its external edge and goes laterally. If the artery arises from posterial- internal edges of the femoral artery it passes between femoral artery and vein. Many variants of origin of branches of the deep artery of hip are described in literature. One or both circumflex arteries depart directly from the femoral artery. In such cases only perforating arteries whose quantity can vary, originate from deep artery of hip. If the deep artery is absent, all branches inherent in it depart from the femoral artery. A. circumflexa femoris lateralis more often departs from 1,5-2 cm below the beginning of deep artery of hip. When a. circumflexa femoris lateralis divides on ascending and descending branches, the latter also can be accepted as additional deep artery of the hip. A. circumflexa femoris medialis more often originates 1-1,5 cm from deep artery of hip beginning. Adachi (1928) describes the variant at which the a. circumflexa femoris medialis originates from the femoral artery on 16 cm below the inguinal ligament. So, it is visible that there is sharp problem of variability of arteries of hip. Further research is required on this question.