Lateral circumflex femoral artery

The lateral circumflex femoral artery (also known as lateral femoral circumflex artery, external circumflex artery, Latin: arteria circumflexa femoris lateralis) is a branch of the deep femoral artery. It begins in the femoral triangle and lateral to the deep femoral artery, then it runs posterior to the rectus femoris till the greater trochanter, where it divides into three branches: the ascending, transverse and descending branches. The lateral circumflex femoral artery supplies the anterior muscle group of the thigh, as well as the hip and knee joints.