Femoral artery

The femoral artery (Latin: arteria femoralis) is a large artery found in the thigh. The femoral artery is a continuation of external iliac artery. It provides arterial blood supply to the lower part of the body, mainly the thigh and lower leg.

After the external iliac artery passes behind the inguinal ligament, it becomes the femoral artery. The femoral artery transverses the vascular lacuna, reaching the anterior surface of the thigh. Then it runs in the iliopectineal groove and later in the anterior femoral groove, entering the adductor canal. It comes out of the canal via the adductor hiatus and reaches the popliteal fossa. At this point the femoral artery continues as the popliteal artery.

Branches of Femoral Artery

The femoral artery gives off superficial and deep branches. There are four superficial branches of the femoral artery, and they are as follows:

• Superficial epigastric artery
• Superficial iliac circumflex artery
• External pudendal artery
• Inguinal branches of femoral artery

The femoral artery gives rise to three deep branches:

• Deep femoral artery
• Perforating arteries
• Descending genicular artery

The femoral artery is the main provider of the arterial blood supply to the lower thigh. It also supplies the superficial tissue of the pelvis and the anterior abdominal wall.