BMS 201- Pelvic Limb Vasculature

Main arterial trunk of pelvic limb

Made up of the…

• femoral artery (A)

• popliteal artery (B)

• cranial tibial artery (C)

• dorsal pedal artery (D)

Femoral artery

• continuation of the external iliac artery (which is a branch off of the aorta)

• begins in a proximomedial, superficial location in the thigh

• useful for obtaining pulse

• travels deep to gracilis, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus muscles, and enters gastrocnemius

• becomes popliteal artery once it enters gastrocnemius

Popliteal artery

• continuation of femoral artery

• caudal to stifle joint

• originates between lateral and medial heads of gastrocnemius muscle

• passes through the proximal interosseous space between tibia and fibula

• becomes cranial tibial artery

Cranial tibial artery

• continuation of popliteal artery

• in cranial crus

• begins in the proximal interosseous space between tibia and fibula

• becomes dorsal pedal artery at talocrural joint

Dorsal pedal artery

• continuation of cranial tibial artery

• originates at talocrural joint

• important for obtaining blood and pulse monitoring

Lateral saphenous vein

• passes distocranially across lateral aspect of crus

• cranial and caudal branch

• cranial branch is often used for venipuncture