Medial circumflex femoral artery

Blood vessel

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The medial circumflex femoral artery is a vital blood vessel in the human body that plays a crucial role in supplying blood to the hip joint and surrounding structures. It is one of the two circumflex femoral arteries, the other being the lateral circumflex femoral artery.

Anatomy

The medial circumflex femoral artery typically arises from the profunda femoris artery, although it can occasionally branch directly from the femoral artery. It courses medially and posteriorly around the femur, passing between the pectineus and iliopsoas muscles.

Branches

The medial circumflex femoral artery gives off several important branches:

• The acetabular branch supplies the acetabulum of the hip joint.
• The ascending branch travels upwards to supply the adductor muscles and the hip joint.
• The transverse branch runs laterally and contributes to the cruciate anastomosis of the thigh.

Supply

The artery is primarily responsible for supplying blood to the head and neck of the femur, which is crucial for the viability of the femoral head. This makes it an important vessel in the context of hip fractures and avascular necrosis.

Clinical significance

Damage or occlusion of the medial circumflex femoral artery can lead to serious complications, such as avascular necrosis of the femoral head. This is particularly relevant in the context of hip dislocations or fractures, where the blood supply to the femoral head may be compromised.

Also see

• Lateral circumflex femoral artery
• Profunda femoris artery
• Femoral artery
• Hip joint
• Avascular necrosis

References

• Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2013). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Standring, S. (2015). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.