34. 💓THE ARTERIES OF THE LOWER LIMB – FEMORAL ARTERY, POLITEAL ARTERY, THE ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR TIBIAL ARTERIES. POSITION AND BRANCHES.💗

What is the continuation of the external iliac artery and where does it pass?**

- *Femoral artery*
- Passes underneath the inguinal ligament

What are the three main branches of the femoral artery in the femoral triangle?**

- Perforating branches
- Lateral femoral circumflex artery
- Medial femoral circumflex artery

What structures does the lateral femoral circumflex artery supply?**

- Muscles on the anterior and lateral aspects of the thigh

Where does the medial femoral circumflex artery wrap around and what complication can arise if it is damaged?**

- Wraps around the posterior side of the femur, supplying its neck and head
- Damage can lead to avascular necrosis of the femur head in femoral neck fractures

What happens to the femoral artery once it exits the femoral triangle?**

- Travels through the adductor canal
- Ends at the adductor hiatus within the adductor magnus muscle

What is the femoral artery called once it passes through the adductor hiatus?**

- Popliteal artery

Where does the popliteal artery travel, and what structures does it accompany?**

- Travels in the popliteal fossa posteriorly to the knee
- Accompanies the tibial nerve and common fibular nerve

What muscles do the muscular branches of the popliteal artery supply?**

- Hamstrings, gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles

How many genicular branches does the popliteal artery give rise to, and what do they supply?**

- Four genicular branches
- Form anastomoses around the knee joint and supply the joint

What are the divisions of the popliteal artery in the lower leg?**

- Anterior tibial artery and posterior tibial artery

What does the anterior tibial artery do after passing through the opening in the interosseous membrane?**

- Enters the anterior compartment of the thigh
- Supplies the anterior leg muscles
- Becomes the dorsalis pedis artery down the length of the leg and foot

What is the direct continuation of the popliteal artery, and what branch does it give off?**

- Posterior tibial artery
- Gives off the fibular artery

Where does the posterior tibial artery travel and what structures does it accompany?**

- Travels deep and inferiorly into the sole of the foot via the tarsal tunnel
- Accompanies the tibial nerve