Vascular Anatomy of Lower Limb

Vascular Anatomy of Lower Limb

• The lower limb's vascular system comprises arteries, veins, and their branches.
• The main arteries of the lower limb include the external iliac, femoral, popliteal, anterior tibial, posterior tibial, and peroneal arteries.
• The femoral artery is the main arterial supply to the lower limb.
• The femoral artery originates from the external iliac artery.
• It enters the thigh behind the inguinal ligament.
• The femoral artery branches into superficial epigastric, superficial circumflex iliac, superficial external pudendal, deep external pudendal, and profunda femoris arteries.
• The profunda femoris artery arises from the lateral side of the femoral artery (4cm below the inguinal ligament).
• The popliteal artery continues the femoral artery and passes through the adductor magnus muscle into the popliteal fossa.
• The popliteal artery branches into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.

Popliteal Artery

• The popliteal artery is the continuation of the femoral artery.
• It enters the popliteal fossa through the adductor magnus muscle.
• The popliteal artery branches into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries and muscular and articular branches serving the knee joint.

Anterior Tibial Artery

• The anterior tibial artery is one of the terminal branches of the popliteal artery.
• It enters the anterior compartment of the leg via an opening in the interosseous membrane.
• It descends with the deep peroneal nerve.
• In its upper course, it lies deep.
• In the lower portion, it lies superficial to the lower end of the tibia.

Posterior Tibial Artery

• The posterior tibial artery descends deep to the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles on the posterior surface of the tibialis posterior muscle.
• It is covered by skin and fascia only in its lower portion.
• It passes behind the medial malleolus, deep to the flexor retinaculum.
• The posterior tibial artery divides into the medial and lateral plantar arteries.

Branches of Dorsalis Pedis Artery

• The branches of the dorsalis pedis artery include the lateral tarsal artery, arcuate artery, and the first dorsal metatarsal artery.
• The dorsalis pedis artery begins in front of the ankle joint.

Arterial Anastomoses

• Trochanteric anastomoses supply the head of the femur.
• Anastomoses exist around the knee joint.

Peripheral Arterial Pulse

• Pulse points include the femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses.
• Locations for palpation of various pulses are detailed.

Veins of the Lower Limb

• The lower limb's veins are categorized into superficial and deep veins.
• The great saphenous vein is the longest superficial vein of the body originating from the medial end of the dorsal venous arch.
• It ascends in front of the medial malleolus.

Small Saphenous Vein

• The small saphenous vein originates from the lateral end of the dorsal venous arch.
• It ascends behind the lateral malleolus, accompanied by the sural nerve, along the middle of the back of the leg.
• It terminates by joining the great saphenous or bifurcating into branches that join it to the popliteal vein.

Deep Veins

• Popliteal vein forms by the union of posterior and anterior tibial veins.
• It is posterior to the popliteal artery.
• The femoral vein passes through the adductor magnus muscle and continues as the external iliac vein.
• Deep veins (venae comitantes) accompany arteries and are contained within the vascular sheath, aided by pulsations to move blood.

Perforating Veins

• Perforating veins connect superficial to deep veins, allowing one-way flow.
• Valves prevent backflow of blood .

Varicose Veins

• Varicose veins involve dilation and degeneration of superficial veins.
• They are more common in the posteromedial leg.
• Vein valve incompetence contributes.

This quiz covers the vascular anatomy of the lower limb, focusing on the major arteries including the femoral and popliteal arteries. Test your understanding of how these arteries branch and supply blood to different regions of the lower extremities. Ideal for students studying human anatomy or vascular physiology.