Femoral circumflex artery

Femoral Circumflex Artery

The femoral artery. (Femoral circumflex arteries not labeled, but region is visible.)

The Femoral Circumflex Artery is a significant artery located in the human leg. It branches from the femoral artery, which is the main artery providing blood supply to the lower limb.

Anatomy

The femoral circumflex artery is divided into two branches: the medial circumflex femoral artery and the lateral circumflex femoral artery. These arteries encircle the femur, supplying blood to the hip joint and the upper thigh.

Medial Circumflex Femoral Artery

The medial circumflex femoral artery arises from the posteromedial aspect of the deep femoral artery. It passes posteriorly and laterally, deep to the pectineus and adductor longus muscles, and anterior to the adductor brevis and adductor magnus muscles.

Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery

The lateral circumflex femoral artery arises from the lateral aspect of the deep femoral artery. It passes laterally, deep to the sartorius and rectus femoris muscles, and anterior to the vastus lateralis muscle.

Clinical Significance

The femoral circumflex artery is of clinical importance as it is frequently involved in hip fractures and hip dislocations. Damage to this artery can lead to avascular necrosis of the femoral head, a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

See Also

• Femoral artery
• Medial circumflex femoral artery
• Lateral circumflex femoral artery
• Avascular necrosis