Leg artery

femoral artery, femoral artery, femoral artery

Definition

The femoral artery is the main vessel for supplying the lower extremity with oxygen-rich blood. It has a diameter of about 1cm in healthy persons (deviations or differences between the sexes can occur) and gives off numerous branches in its course.

Course of the leg artery

The femoral artery is present symmetrically (i.e. once on each side). It is the continuation of the A. iliaca externa (external iliac artery). The transition from external pelvic artery to femoral artery is located approximately at the level of the inguinal ligament under which the artery runs.

In the course of the leg artery below the inguinal ligament, it is accompanied by the vein of the same name (conduction of the oxygen-poor blood from the leg back in the direction of the heart for renewed oxygen loading), i.e. the femoral vein. In the region of the inguinal ligament there are two important anatomical points of passage for structures running from the pelvis into the leg. These are the Lacuna musculorum (muscle port) and Lacuna vasorum (vascular port).

Towards the front (ventral) they are bounded by the inguinal ligament (Ligamentum inguinale), towards the back (dorsal) by the pubic bone (Os pubis) or ilium (Os ilium). The inner (medial) vascular portal is limited inwardly by the Ligamentum lacunare (portal ligament). It is separated from the muscle portal by the arcus iliopectineus (arched ligament), which is located on the outside (lateral).

The arteria and femoral vein pass through this vascular port, while the associated nerve (femoral nerve), accompanied by other structures, passes through the muscle port located further out. The femoral artery then runs along the front thigh between the adductor longus muscle and the vastus medialis muscle in the so-called adductor canal. Initially, the leg artery is located relatively centrally on the thigh, but as it progresses it moves more towards the inner front thigh. Through a gap in the muscle adductor magnus (Hiatus adductiorius), the leg artery enters the popliteal fossa and continues on as the popliteal artery.

Vascular branches Gefäßa

In its course, the artery releases several vascular branches to supply the surrounding structures:

• The artery epigastrica superficialis (superficial upper abdominal artery) to supply a part of the lower abdominal wall. – The arteria circumflexa ilium superficialis (superficial artery surrounding the ilium) to supply parts of the groin region. – The arteria pudenda externa (external pubic artery) to supply parts of the groin skin and the genital region. – The arteria descendens genicularis (descending knee artery) to the knee joint and
• The arteria profunda femoris (deep femoral artery) to supply the back of the thigh and the femoral head.

Pain

Chronic narrowing of the leg artery due to arteriosclerosis can cause pain in the calf. This is due to the fact that the blood supply below the constriction is insufficient. The resulting circulatory disorder leads to typical symptoms, which are used to divide the constriction of the leg artery into 4 stages according to Fontaine-Ratchev.

Apart from a chronic constriction of the aorta due to arteriosclerosis, a blood clot can also lead to an acute occlusion of the aorta, which is characterized by severe pain in the leg. Due to the lack of blood supply, the leg appears pale and cool and the leg pulses cannot be felt. This represents an emergency and must be treated immediately, otherwise the leg may be seriously damaged.

• Stage 1: The vessels are already partially constricted or even blocked. However, the affected person is free of symptoms, so the condition of the vessels is discovered rather by chance. – Stage 2: There is pain when walking.

To relieve the pain, the affected person stops walking more often (window-shopping). In this stage most affected people go to the doctor. A further distinction is made between:Stage 2a: A pain-free walking distance of over 200 m is possible.

Stage 2b: A painless walking distance of less than 200 m is possible. – Stage 2a: A painless walking distance of over 200 m is possible. – Stage 2b: A painless walking distance under 200 m is possible.

• Stage 2a: A painless walking distance of over 200 m is possible. – Stage 2b: A painless walking distance under 200 m is possible. – Stage 3: Pain occurs at rest.

Often this pain also occurs at night when the legs are lying horizontally. Letting the legs hang down often alleviates the pain symptoms for a short time. – Stage 4: In this stage, tissue damage (ulcer, gangrene, necrosis) has already occurred due to insufficient blood circulation. Cell death occurs and toes or other parts of the foot and leg can die. In order to avoid life-threatening situations, appropriate parts of the body may have to be surgically amputated in an emergency.