[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › Femoral artery [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Femoral artery The femoral artery is the main artery of the thigh; its pulse is felt in the groin and it becomes the popliteal artery behind the knee. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=femoral_artery&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The main artery of the thigh. It continues from the [external iliac artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-iliac-artery/) under the inguinal ligament, where its pulse can be felt in the groin, and runs down the front and inner thigh. ## What it does Brings blood to the leg. Its large branch, the deep femoral artery, feeds the thigh; the main trunk passes through the adductor canal and becomes the popliteal artery behind the knee. ## Key points - The pulse is at the mid-inguinal point (halfway between the ASIS and the [pubic symphysis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pubic-symphysis/)), not at the midpoint of the inguinal ligament, which marks the deep inguinal ring - Femoral triangle: inguinal ligament above, sartorius laterally, adductor longus medially; floor iliopsoas, pectineus and adductor longus; roof fascia lata with the cribriform fascia - Clinicians call it the common femoral artery down to the [deep femoral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deep-femoral-artery/) 's origin and the superficial femoral artery below it, a misleading name for a deeply placed vessel - The superficial femoral artery near the adductor hiatus is the commonest site of atherosclerotic blockage in the leg; the femoral bifurcation is the commonest place for an embolus to lodge ## Key facts **Origin** Continuation of external iliac artery behind inguinal ligament, at midinguinal point **Branches** Superficial epigastric, superficial circumflex iliac, external pudendals, deep femoral, descending genicular **Supplies** Whole [lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/); passes femoral triangle and adductor canal; becomes popliteal at adductor hiatus ## Relations **Course** Enters the thigh behind the [inguinal ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inguinal-ligament/) in the lateral compartment of the femoral sheath, descends through the femoral triangle to its apex, runs in the adductor canal under the [sartorius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sartorius-muscle/) and leaves through the adductor hiatus to become the [popliteal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/popliteal-artery/) **Medial** The [femoral vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-vein/) in the middle compartment of the sheath and, beyond it, the femoral canal (fat, lymphatics, a lymph node), the route of a femoral hernia; lower down the vein moves behind the artery **Lateral** The [femoral nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-nerve/), outside the sheath on the iliopsoas; in the adductor canal, the [vastus medialis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vastus-medialis-muscle/) (the canal's lateral wall) and the nerve to vastus medialis **Behind** From above down: the [psoas major](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/psoas-major/) tendon (separating it from the hip joint), the [pectineus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pectineus-muscle/) and the [adductor longus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/adductor-longus/); in the canal, the adductor longus and [adductor magnus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/adductor-magnus/) (its back wall) **Superficial** [Skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/), [fascia lata](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fascia-lata/) and cribriform fascia in the triangle; in the canal, the sartorius over the vasto-adductor membrane (its roof), with the [saphenous nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/saphenous-nerve/) crossing in front of it from lateral to medial ## How to find it With the person supine and the thigh slightly turned out, the pulse is felt just below the inguinal ligament at the mid-inguinal point, pressed against the femoral head. Lower down the sartorius covers it; its path follows the upper two-thirds of a line from the mid-inguinal point to the adductor tubercle. ## Examination - Radio-femoral delay: a femoral pulse that is weak and arrives after the radial pulse suggests coarctation of the aorta - Ankle–brachial index (ankle systolic pressure divided by arm systolic pressure): below 0.9 indicates peripheral artery disease; a weak femoral pulse as well places the block at or above the groin - Listening over the groin: a bruit points to turbulent flow through a narrowed iliac or common femoral artery ## On imaging Duplex ultrasound is first line: in the groin the artery lies lateral to the vein over the femoral head, with a triphasic waveform. Stenosis shows as high velocity and turbulence; occlusion as absent flow with collaterals. CT or MR angiography maps disease before surgery. Plain films only show wall calcification. Ultrasound also checks a puncture site for false aneurysm. ## Common problems - Narrowing or blockage from plaque (peripheral artery disease), causing leg pain when walking (claudication). - It is the most common entry point for catheter procedures, such as heart catheterization; a bruise or false aneurysm can follow. - Injury from deep cuts or fractures. ## How it is diagnosed Checking pulses; ankle-brachial index; duplex ultrasound; CT or catheter angiography. ## Treatment - Walking programs, quitting smoking and medicines for artery disease. - Angioplasty and stenting, or surgical bypass, for severe narrowing. - Repair of an injured or bulging artery. ## Clinical notes - Catheter access is over the femoral head, below the inguinal ligament, so the artery can be compressed against bone; a puncture above the ligament can bleed unseen into the retroperitoneum, one below the bifurcation risks a false aneurysm or arteriovenous fistula - An embolus at the bifurcation gives a sudden painful, pale, pulseless leg; the clot can be removed through a groin incision with a balloon catheter (embolectomy) - Femoro-popliteal bypass treats long blockages; the [great saphenous vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/great-saphenous-vein/) is the preferred conduit ## Anatomical variants - The height of the deep femoral artery's origin varies and does not match the groin crease, so the crease is a poor guide for puncture - Persistent sciatic artery (rare): the embryonic axial artery stays the main supply of the leg and the femoral artery is small - Duplicated superficial femoral artery (rare) ## Development The first artery of the embryonic leg is the axial (sciatic) artery, which runs behind the thigh with the [sciatic nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sciatic-nerve/). The femoral artery appears later in front, joins it above the knee and takes over; the axial vessel regresses, its lower part surviving in the [fibular artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fibular-artery/). When it persists, it is the persistent sciatic artery. ## Memory aid Groin from lateral to medial: NAVEL, Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space (femoral canal), Lymphatics. ## Related conditions - [Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (type III hyperlipoproteinemia)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/familial-dysbetalipoproteinemia/) - [Peripheral artery disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/peripheral-artery-disease/) - [Acute limb ischaemia](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/acute-limb-ischaemia/) - [Atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/atherosclerosis-and-dyslipidaemia/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Where is the femoral pulse felt? At the mid-inguinal point, halfway between the ASIS and the pubic symphysis, just below the inguinal ligament over the femoral head. ## What is the order of structures in the groin from lateral to medial? Nerve, artery, vein, empty space (femoral canal), lymphatics: NAVEL. The femoral vein lies medial to the femoral artery. ## Where does the femoral artery become the popliteal artery? At the adductor hiatus, after running through the femoral triangle and the adductor canal under the sartorius. ## Why is femoral catheter access made over the femoral head, below the inguinal ligament? The artery can be compressed against bone; a puncture above the ligament can bleed into the retroperitoneum, one below the bifurcation risks a false aneurysm. ## Where is the commonest atherosclerotic blockage in the leg, and where does an embolus usually lodge? Blockage: the superficial femoral artery near the adductor hiatus. Embolus: the femoral bifurcation. [Add to my cards (5)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/femoral-artery/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria femoralis TA2 4674 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Arteria femoral DeCS D005263 **English (TA2)** Femoral artery ## Related - [Popliteal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/popliteal-artery/) - [Inguinal ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inguinal-ligament/) - [External iliac artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-iliac-artery/) - [Femoral vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-vein/) - [Femoral nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-nerve/) - [Deep femoral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deep-femoral-artery/) - [Rectus femoris](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/rectus-femoris-muscle/) - [Vastus medialis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vastus-medialis-muscle/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=5367&filter=ths_termall&q=Arteria%20Femoral); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Femoral Artery](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538262/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Development of the Vascular System (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain; Anatomía humana (4.ª ed.), tomo 1, cap. 67: Arterias del miembro inferior. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-artery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-artery/