Femoral Triangle Anatomy

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Questions and Answers

What is the superior border of the femoral triangle formed by?

Inguinal ligament (correct)

Iliopsoas muscle

Adductor longus muscle

Sartorius muscle

What is the function of the inguinal ligament in the femoral triangle?

It innervates the anterior compartment of thigh

It provides arterial supply to the lower limb

It drains into the great saphenous vein

It acts as a flexor retinaculum (correct)

What is the lateral border of the femoral triangle formed by?

Iliopsoas muscle

Pectineus muscle

Medial border of sartorius muscle (correct)

Medial border of adductor longus muscle

What is the function of the femoral nerve in the femoral triangle?

It innervates the anterior compartment of thigh Signup and view all the answers

What is the femoral canal?

A rectangular shaped compartment with four borders and an opening Signup and view all the answers

What is the medial border of the femoral canal formed by?

Lacunar ligament Signup and view all the answers

What is the acronym NAVEL used for in the femoral triangle?

To remember the contents of the femoral triangle Signup and view all the answers

What is the roof of the femoral triangle formed by?

Fascia lata Signup and view all the answers

What drains into the femoral vein within the femoral triangle?

Great saphenous vein Signup and view all the answers

What is the length of the femoral canal?

1.3cm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures forms the posterior border of the femoral ring?

Pectineal ligament Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the femoral canal?

Allowing distension of the adjacent femoral vein Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the conical tunnel located in the thigh?

Adductor canal Signup and view all the answers

What is the length of the adductor canal?

15cm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures borders the adductor canal laterally?

Vastus medialis Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the gap between the adductor and hamstring attachments of the adductor magnus?

Adductor hiatus Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the largest cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve?

Saphenous nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the diamond-shaped area found on the posterior side of the knee?

Popliteal fossa Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following muscles forms the superomedial border of the popliteal fossa?

Semimembranosus Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the femoral artery and vein as they exit the adductor canal?

They become the popliteal artery and vein Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Femoral Triangle

A hollow area in the anterior thigh that contains neurovascular structures and is easily accessible, making it an area of both anatomical and clinical importance.
Borders: superior border (inguinal ligament), lateral border (medial border of sartorius muscle), and medial border (medial border of adductor longus muscle).
Floor: pectineus, iliopsoas, and adductor longus muscles.
Roof: fascia lata.

Contents of Femoral Triangle

Femoral nerve: innervates the anterior compartment of the thigh and provides sensory branches for the leg and foot.
Femoral artery: responsible for the majority of arterial supply to the lower limb.
Femoral vein: drains into the femoral vein within the triangle, including the great saphenous vein.
Femoral canal: contains deep lymph nodes and vessels.

Femoral Canal

A small, rectangular compartment located in the anterior thigh within the femoral triangle.
Borders: medial border (lacunar ligament), lateral border (femoral vein), anterior border (inguinal ligament), and posterior border (pectineal ligament, superior ramus of pubic bone, and pectineus muscle).
Contents: lymphatic vessels draining deep inguinal lymph nodes, deep lymph node (lacunar node), empty space, and loose connective tissue.

Femoral Ring

Opening to the femoral canal located at its superior border, closed by the femoral septum.
Femoral septum is pierced by lymphatic vessels exiting the canal.

Adductor Canal (Hunter's Canal, Subsartorial Canal)

A 15cm-long, narrow, conical tunnel located in the thigh that extends from the apex of the femoral triangle to the adductor hiatus of the adductor magnus.
Borders: anterior (sartorius), lateral (vastus medialis), and posterior (adductor longus and adductor magnus).
Contents: femoral artery, femoral vein, nerve to vastus medialis, and saphenous nerve (largest cutaneous branch of femoral nerve).

Popliteal Fossa

A diamond-shaped area found on the posterior side of the knee that serves as the main path for structures moving from the thigh to the leg.
Borders: superomedial border (semimembranosus), superolateral border (biceps femoris), inferomedial border (medial head of gastrocnemius), and inferolateral border (lateral head of gastrocnemius and plantaris).
Floor and roof: formed by muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg and thigh.

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Description

Learn about the femoral triangle, a hollow area in the anterior thigh that contains important neurovascular structures. Understand its borders and clinical significance.