Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Deep femoral artery
Introduction
The profunda femoris artery (also known as the deep femoral artery, or the deep artery of the thigh) is a branch of the femoral artery that, as its name suggests, travels more deeply (posteriorly) than the rest of the femoral artery.
Structure
Structure
The profunda femoris branches off the femoral artery soon after its origin. It travels down the thigh closer to the femur than the femoral artery, running between the pectineus and the adductor longus, and running on the posterior side of adductor longus. The deep femoral artery does not leave the thigh.
Branches
The profunda femoris gives off the following branches:
- Lateral femoral circumflex artery
- Medial femoral circumflex artery
- Perforating arteries – perforate the adductor magnus muscle to the posterior and lateral compartments of the thigh.
Additional images
Additional images
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Cross-section through the middle of the thigh.
External links
External links
- Template:DukeOrtho
- Template:SUNYAnatomyFigs – “Arteries of the lower extremity shown in association with major landmarks.”
- Template:ViennaCrossSection
- Template:LoyolaMedEd
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.