Blood Supply of Lower Limb

Branches of aortic arch

Brachiocephalic trunk - divides into right subclavian and right common carotid arteries, left common carotid artery - supplies blood to left side of head and neck, left subclavian artery - supplies blood to left upper limb and chest wall

Abdominal aorta

Extends from diaphragm to l4 vertebra where it bifurcates into left and right common iliac arteries

Branches of abdominal aorta

Abdominal aorta - main arterial trunk to abdomen and supplies blood to abdominal organs, common iliac arteries - left and right branches from abdominal aorta’s bifurcation, external and internal iliac arteries - further divisions of common iliac arteries and supplies pelvic structures and lower limbs

Common iliac artery

Begins at bifurcation of abdominal aorta, runs along the medial border of psoas major before dividing into external and internal iliac arteries at pelvic brim

Obturator artery

Usually arises from the internal iliac artery, passes through obturator foramen to enter medial thigh, supplies head of femur, pelvic muscles and medial thigh

External iliac artery

Aries from common iliac artery at pelvic brim, runs along pelvic brim and gives off branches to abdominal wall, becomes femoral artery as it passes under inguinal ligament

Femoral artery

Continuation of external iliac artery after it passes under inguinal ligament, main arterial supply to the lower limb, passes through adductor canal to hiatus

Deep femoral artery

Major branch of femoral artery, supplies deep structures of the thigh, branches = lateral and medial circumflex femoral arteries and perforating arteries

Popliteal artery

Continuation of femoral artery located in popliteal fossa, gives off genicular branches supplying structure around the knee joint, divides into anterior tibial, posterior tibial and fibular arteries below the knee

Posterior tibial artery

Travels with tom dick and harry, supplies posterior compartment, continues to split into medial and lateral plantar arteries

Fibular artery

Supplies lateral compartment

Anterior tibial artery

Crosses over the top of interosseous membrane, supplies anterior compartment, continues into dorsal aspect of foot as dorsalis pedis - supplies dorsum of foot

Deep veins of lower limb description

Run parallel to arteries, share names with corresponding arteries, contain valves to prevent backflow, drain blood from tissues supplied by adjacent arteries

Vena commitantes

Veins that form pairs and flank arteries to aid in venous return

Deep veins of lower limb

External iliac vein, deep vein of the thigh, femoral vein, popliteal vein, fibular vein, posterior tibial vein, anterior tibial vein, obturator vein

Superficial veins of lower limb

Lie in subcutaneous tissue, fewer valves than deep veins, anastomose freely with deep veins, provide alternate route for blood return, helps with thermoregulation, drain skin and fascia

Dorsal venous arch

Network of veins that collect blood from digital veins

Great saphenous vein

Longest vein, runs from foot to groin, located medial side of leg and thigh, drains into femoral vein

Short saphenous vein

Ascends the calf’s posterior aspect, drains into popliteal vein

Femoral pulse

Palpate in the groin, where femoral artery passes under inguinal ligament

Popliteal pulse

Palpated in popliteal fossa behind the knee

Posterior tibial pulse

Palpated behind medial malleolus, important for assessing lower limb circulation

Dorsal pedis pulse

Palpated on dorsum on foot, absence may indicated peripheral artery disease