Anatomy II 6

Objectives

  • At the end of the lecture, students should be able to:

    • State the location of the femoral triangle.

    • Identify the boundaries, contents, and significance of the femoral triangle.

    • Describe the course of the adductor canal.

    • State the roof, floor, and contents of the adductor canal.

    • Explain the termination of the adductor canal.

Femoral Triangle

  • Definition: A triangular depression at the superior anterior third of the thigh.

  • Appearance: In a living person, seen as a triangular depression inferior to the inguinal ligament when the thigh is flexed, abducted, and laterally rotated.

Boundaries of the Femoral Triangle

  • Superior: Inguinal ligament (thickened inferior margin of the external oblique aponeurosis).

  • Medial: Medial border of the adductor longus.

  • Lateral: Medial border of the sartorius.

  • Apex: Junction of the medial border of the sartorius and adductor longus.

Muscular Floor of the Femoral Triangle

  • Formed from lateral to medial by:

    • Iliacus

    • Psoas major

    • Pectineus

    • Adductor longus

Roof of the Femoral Triangle

  • Formed by:

    • Fascia lata

    • Cribriform fascia

    • Subcutaneous tissue

    • Skin

Contents of the Femoral Triangle

  • From lateral to medial:

    • Femoral nerve and its terminal branches

    • Femoral sheath containing:

      • Femoral artery and branches

      • Femoral vein and its tributaries (e.g., great saphenous vein)

    • Deep inguinal lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels

Significance of the Femoral Triangle

  • Critical for accessing major neurovascular structures in the thigh and the principal channel for blood vessels extending into the lower limb.

Adductor Canal (Hunter's Canal)

  • Definition: A long, narrow passageway in the middle third of the thigh.

  • Course: Extends from the apex of the femoral triangle (where the sartorius crosses over the adductor longus) to the adductor hiatus in the tendon of the adductor magnus.

  • Contents:

    • Femoral artery and vein

    • Saphenous nerve

    • Nerve to vastus medialis

  • Function: Provides passage for femoral vessels to the popliteal fossa where they become popliteal vessels.

Boundaries of the Adductor Canal

  • Anteriorly and Laterally: Vastus medialis

  • Posteriorly: Adductors longus and magnus

  • Medially: Sartorius, forming the roof of the canal.

Significance of Hunter's Canal

  • Transports the femoral artery and vein to the popliteal fossa where it allows for flexion of the knee without stretching the vessels.

Summary

  • The femoral triangle has three borders, a base, and an apex, effectively demarcating the neurovascular channel of the thigh's anterior compartment.

  • The adductor canal serves as a conduit between the femoral triangle and the adductor hiatus, ensuring efficient transit of femoral vessels to the popliteal region without interruption during knee movements.

References

  • Sauerland, Eberhardt K.; Patrick W. Tank. "Grant's dissector". Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005.

  • Patrick W. Tank (2009). "Topographical Anatomy of the Lower Limb".

  • Moore, KL; Dalley, AF; Agur, AMR. "Clinically Oriented Anatomy". Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2010.

  • Omar Faiz; David Moffat. "Anatomy at a Glance". Blackwell Science, 2002.