Arterial Supply of the Thigh and Gluteal Region

Introduction

This article will cover the arterial supply to the thigh and gluteal region, including a brief description of the femoral triangle.

The arterial blood supply of the thigh comes directly from the external iliac artery. The external iliac artery becomes the femoral artery after it passes beneath the inguinal ligament and enters the femoral triangle.

The femoral triangle

The femoral triangle is a useful anatomical landmark. This triangular depression is located inferiorly to the inguinal ligament. It is bounded by the adductor longus muscle medially and the sartorius muscle laterally.

Three important structures run through the femoral triangle: femoral nerve, femoral artery and femoral vein (from most lateral to medial).

At the apex of the femoral triangle, the femoral artery and vein enter the adductor canal.

Clinical relevance: femoral artery access

The femoral artery lies superficially in the femoral triangle and thus can be palpated just below the mid-inguinal point (half-way between the anterior superior iliac spine and pubic symphysis). Thanks to easy access, the artery is useful in clinical procedures such as coronary angiography.

In coronary angiography, a thin catheter is introduced to the femoral artery and then travels retrograde along the course of the artery to the coronary vessels. A dye is then injected, and X-ray images are taken (Figure 1) to show the blood supply of the heart. This diagnostic procedure helps to demonstrate the patency of the coronary blood vessels.

Arteries of the thigh

The femoral artery runs in the middle of the femoral triangle. It supplies the anterior and anteromedial aspects of the thigh.

The profunda femoris artery is the largest branch of the femoral artery. This vessel is also known as the deep artery of the thigh and has three main branches:

• Medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA)
• Lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA)
• Perforating branches: three to four arteries supplying the posterior and anterolateral muscles of the thigh (adductor magnus, hamstrings, vastus lateralis). They run laterally across the muscles.

Note that the profunda femoris artery never leaves the thigh.

The femoral artery then enters the adductor canal, which terminates at the adductor hiatus. The adductor hiatus is a gap between the adductor and hamstring heads of the adductor magnus muscle. This is where the femoral artery becomes the popliteal artery.

Arteries of the hip

The hip joint is supplied mainly by the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries arising from the profunda femoris artery.

The ascending and transverse branches of LCFA and MCFA anastomose wrapping around the proximal part of the femur. The retinacular branches arise from that anastomosis, supplying the neck. There is a small contribution from the superior and inferior gluteal arteries.

The head of the femur is additionally supplied by the foveal artery, which originates from the obturator artery. The foveal artery runs in the ligamentum teres of the acetabulum.

Arteries of the gluteal region

The main arteries of the gluteal region are the superior gluteal and inferior gluteal arteries. They arise from the internal iliac artery.

The superior gluteal artery is the largest branch of the internal iliac artery and arises from its posterior division. It has superficial and deep branches which supply the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae muscles.

The inferior gluteal artery originates from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. This artery supplies blood to the gluteus maximus, piriformis, internal obturator, gemellus superior and inferior and quadratus femoris muscles. It also gives off a branch to the sciatic nerve.

References

1. Todt T, Maret E, Alfredsson J, Janzon M, Engvall J, Swahn E – Todt T, Maret E, Alfredsson J, Janzon M, Engvall J, Swahn E (2012). “Relationship between treatment delay and final infarct size in STEMI patients treated with abciximab and primary PCI”. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders. doi:10.1186/1471-2261-12-9. PMID 22361039. PMC 3359186.