Femoral artery

Arteria femoralis

CardiovascularBlood vesselsLegLeft and right

View left in 3D View right in 3D

What it is
Continues the external iliac artery below the inguinal ligament through the femoral triangle (lateral to the femoral vein), then runs down the front-medial thigh under sartorius in the adductor canal and passes through the adductor hiatus to become the popliteal artery.
Function
The main supply of the lower limb; its large deep branch (profunda femoris) supplies the thigh muscles.
Size
~1 cm diameter at the groin; ~30 cm long.
Clinical note
The femoral pulse is felt at the mid-inguinal point; it is the classic access route for catheter angiography and interventions.

Nearby cardiovascular structures Anterior tibial artery, Deep femoral artery (profunda femoris), Dorsalis pedis artery, Femoral vein, Great saphenous vein, Plantar arteries, Popliteal artery, Popliteal vein, Posterior tibial artery, Small saphenous vein