Perforating femoral arteries
Arteriae perforantes femoris
A series of branches of the deep femoral artery that pierce the adductor muscles to reach and supply the back of the thigh.
At a glance
- English
- Perforating femoral arteries
- Latin (TA2)
- Arteriae perforantes femoris
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Lower limb
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the perforating femoral arteries
The perforating arteries are branches of the deep femoral artery that leave it as it descends close to the femur behind adductor longus. They are named for their course: each passes backwards through the adductor muscles near their attachment to the linea aspera, piercing adductor magnus to reach the posterior compartment of the thigh. They are numbered from above downwards, and the terminal part of the deep femoral artery itself is counted as the last of the series.
The first perforating artery arises above adductor brevis, the second in front of it and the third below it, so the upper vessels also pass through or beside adductor brevis on their way back. Behind the femur each divides into branches that supply adductor magnus, the hamstring muscles and, after winding round the femur, vastus lateralis.
Their branches link with one another in a chain down the back of the thigh. The first perforating artery joins the inferior gluteal artery and both circumflex femoral arteries in the cruciate anastomosis behind the upper femur, while the lowest connects with muscular branches of the popliteal artery. This chain forms a potential route around a blocked femoral artery. One or more of the perforating arteries also give the nutrient artery of the femur, which enters the shaft through the nutrient foramen near the linea aspera.
The perforating arteries are relevant to surgery on the femoral shaft, where they lie close to the bone at the back and can bleed during plating or nailing, and to thigh flaps such as the profunda artery perforator flap. They are also at risk in fractures of the femoral shaft.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- The deep femoral artery, as it descends behind adductor longus close to the femur.
- Ends in
- End in the posterior compartment of the thigh, linked to one another and to the gluteal and popliteal arteries.
- Supplies
- Supply adductor magnus, the hamstrings, vastus lateralis and the shaft of the femur.
Anthromica
See the perforating femoral arteries where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
