Anatomy of Arteries in Lower Limb

The femoral artery is a major blood vessel in the leg that supplies blood to the thigh and lower leg. It begins at the mid-inguinal point, continues as the external iliac artery, and ends at the adductor hiatus where it becomes the popliteal artery.

The femoral triangle is a triangular space in the upper thigh that contains important vessels and nerves. It is bordered by the sartorius, adductor longus, and inguinal ligament.

In the femoral triangle, the femoral artery is superficial and lies within the femoral sheath. This sheath is a fibrous structure that helps protect and organize the artery and vein.

As the femoral artery descends into the thigh, it enters the adductor canal. This canal is a narrow space that allows the artery to pass deeper towards the knee.

The femoral vein, which carries deoxygenated blood back to the heart, is located medial to the femoral artery at the base of the femoral triangle. As the artery descends, the vein moves behind and then lateral to it.

The femoral nerve is positioned lateral to the femoral artery at the base of the femoral triangle. The saphenous nerve, a branch of the femoral nerve, crosses in front of the artery to become medial to it further down.

At the apex of the femoral triangle, the vessels and adductor longus muscle are arranged in the following order from anterior to posterior: femoral artery, femoral vein, adductor longus, profunda vein, and profunda artery.

The saphenous nerve is a sensory nerve that supplies the skin on the medial side of the leg. It becomes medial to the femoral artery in the lower part of the adductor canal.

The Dorsalis Pedis Artery is a major artery in the foot, supplying blood to the dorsum (top) of the foot and partly the toes. It runs directly over the bones of the foot, making it easy to feel its pulse.

The Dorsalis Pedis Artery originates from the Anterior Tibial Artery just below the ankle and then ends by supplying blood to the plantar arch on the sole of the foot.

The Dorsalis Pedis Artery runs along the top of the foot, supplying blood to the toes. It lies close to the surface and can be easily felt.

The main branches of the Dorsalis Pedis Artery include the medial and lateral tarsal arteries, the arcuate artery, and the 1st dorsal metatarsal artery. These branches supply blood to the different parts of the foot and toes.

The Dorsalis Pedis Artery pulsation can be felt just below the ankle, on the side of the tendons, and near the base of the big toe.

A long, slender tube inserted into the femoral artery to access the left heart or kidney blood vessels for imaging. Contrast material is injected, and X-rays are taken to visualize the vessels.

A group of blood vessels that connect the external iliac and profunda femoris arteries to supply blood to the lower limb if the external iliac or femoral artery is blocked above the origin of the profunda femoris.

The main artery in the back of the knee, continuing from the femoral artery.

The deepest structure within the popliteal fossa, residing in the back of the knee.

The popliteal artery is overlapped by the semimembranosus muscle in the upper part of the popliteal fossa.

The popliteal vein and tibial nerve cross over the popliteal artery from lateral to medial and from above downwards.

The plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles overlap the popliteal artery in the lower part of the popliteal fossa.

The popliteal artery branches into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries, which supply the lower leg.

The femoral vein is located medial to the artery at the base of the femoral triangle.

As the femoral artery descends, the vein moves behind and then lateral to it.

In the lower part of the adductor canal, the femoral vein is in a posterior-lateral position to the artery.

The femoral vein is a major vein in the leg, carrying deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

At the apex of the femoral triangle, the vein is positioned behind the artery.

The long saphenous vein is the longest vein in the body, starting on the foot and ending by joining the femoral vein.

The long saphenous vein runs along the medial aspect of the leg and thigh, and it ends by joining the femoral vein at the sapheno-femoral junction.

This is where the long saphenous vein joins the femoral vein.

Superficial lymph nodes located in the groin region, forming a T-shape along the great saphenous vein and below the inguinal ligament.

Deep lymph nodes situated in the popliteal fossa along the popliteal vessels. They receive lymph from the foot and leg and connect to the deep inguinal lymph nodes.

Deep lymph nodes located along the medial side of the femoral vein, receiving lymph from superficial and deep tissues of the lower limb.

A condition caused by obstruction of the lymphatic system, leading to swelling of the limb, often in the leg.

A severe form of lymphatic edema where the limb becomes significantly enlarged.

Swelling of the lymph nodes, often indicating an underlying infection or disease process.

Inflammation of the lymphatic vessels, usually caused by a bacterial infection.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes, usually caused by an infection.

The short saphenous vein begins on the foot as a continuation of the dorsal venous arch. It travels along the lateral side of the leg, behind the lateral malleolus, and up the back of the calf, accompanied by the sural nerve. This vein then goes deeper, passing through the gastrocnemius muscle, and finally joins the popliteal vein in the popliteal fossa.

Varicose veins are dilated, tortuous superficial veins, usually found in the lower limbs. They are not present in the deep veins, which are supported by surrounding muscles. The short saphenous vein can be used in arterial bypass grafting due to its accessibility and length.

The lymphatic system is a network that collects and filters excess fluid (lymph) from tissues. It's made up of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. The lymph vessels contain valves that prevent the backflow of lymph.

The lymph vessels in the lower limb follow the veins, draining lymph from different regions. The superficial vessels drain the skin and subcutaneous tissue and run medially alongside the great saphenous vein or laterally alongside the small saphenous vein. The deep vessels drain structures under the deep fascia and travel with the deep veins.

Superficial lymph vessels collect excess fluid from the skin and subcutaneous tissue. They mainly accompany the great saphenous vein and drain into the superficial inguinal lymph nodes. A smaller portion follows the small saphenous vein to the popliteal lymph nodes.

Deep lymph vessels collect fluid from structures beneath the fascia. These vessels travel with the deep veins and drain into the deep inguinal lymph nodes.

Lymph is filtered within lymph nodes. It enters the nodes through afferent lymphatics and exits through efferent lymphatics. After being processed, the collected lymph eventually drains into the veins.

The flow of lymph is driven by the contraction of muscles, changes in pressure in surrounding tissues, and the valves within the lymphatic vessels. The lymph channels and veins work together to maintain fluid balance and transport important molecules throughout the body.