Deep femoral artery (profunda femoris)

Arteria profunda femoris

CardiovascularBlood vesselsLegLeft and right

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What it is
The largest branch of the femoral artery, arising ~4 cm below the inguinal ligament and running deep, close to the femur between the adductor muscles, giving the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries and four perforating arteries.
Function
Supplies the muscles of the thigh and the head and neck of the femur (via the circumflex arteries).
Size
~6–7 mm diameter.
Clinical note
Damage to the medial circumflex femoral artery in a femoral neck fracture can cause avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Nearby cardiovascular structures Anterior tibial artery, Dorsalis pedis artery, Femoral artery, Femoral vein, Great saphenous vein, Plantar arteries, Popliteal artery, Popliteal vein, Posterior tibial artery, Small saphenous vein