"Legs" of the Triangle Are Formed by the Inguinal Ligament, Sartorius Muscle, and Adductor Longus Muscle

Home , Femoral canal, Femoral ring, Femoral sheath, Femoral triangle

Femoral triangle A triangular space at the upper end of the thigh. The "legs" of the triangle are formed by the inguinal ligament, sartorius muscle, and adductor longus muscle. Inguinal ligament A ligament extending from the anterior superior iliac spine to the pubis bone. The inguinal ligament separates the abdominal cavity from the thigh. Femoral nerve The femoral nerve enters the lateral part of the femoral triangle and branches to supply the muscles of the anterior thigh. Femoral artery Artery medial to the femoral nerve. It supplies blood to the lower limb. Femoral vein Vein medial to the femoral artery. It returns blood from the lower limb. Lymph Excess fluid entering tissues is removed from the tissue as lymph, which is a clear, sometimes faintly yellow fluid. Lymphatic vessels Small tubes carrying lymph to the thoracic cavity where the lymph enters the blood. Lymph nodes Small, round, or bean-shaped structures distributed along the course of lymphatic vessels. They function to filter the lymph. Femoral sheath Connective tissue enclosing the femoral artery, femoral vein, and lymphatic tissue. Compartments of the A lateral compartment containing the femoral artery. femoral sheath A middle compartment containing the femoral vein.

A medial compartment called the femoral canal. Femoral canal The most medial compartment of the femoral sheath. The femoral canal is a passageway through which lymphatic vessels from the lower limb enter the abdominal cavity. Less than half the lymphatic vessels pass through the femoral canal. The others pass alongside the femoral artery and vein, some inside and some outside the femoral sheath.

1 Femoral ring The superior opening of the femoral canal. The femoral ring is normally covered by parietal peritoneum and a delicate fibrous membrane. Femoral hernia A femoral hernia occurs when a loop of intestine pushes the peritoneum and membrane into, or even completely through, the femoral canal.

Application Questions

1. The larger the size of the femoral ring, the more likely it is that a femoral hernia can occur. Are men or women more likely to develop femoral hernias? Explain. 2. Sometimes it is necessary to gain access to a coronary artery or the left side of the heart. For example, in angioplasty a catheter (tube) is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to a blocked coronary artery. The end of the catheter is then expanded, resulting in opening of the blocked artery. The blood vessels in the femoral triangle are used for such procedures because they are large and close to the surface. What femoral triangle blood vessel is used to reach a coronary artery or the left side of the heart? Name in the correct order all the blood vessels, and their parts, a catheter passes through to reach a coronary artery. 3. What femoral triangle blood vessel is used to reach the right side of the heart? Name in the correct order all the blood vessels a catheter passes through to reach the right side of the heart.

2 Application Answers

1. Women tend to have larger femoral rings than men because they have wider hips. As a result, women tend to have femoral hernias about three times as often as men. 2. The femoral artery is used to reach a coronary artery or the left side of the heart. The catheter passes through the following: Femoral artery External iliac artery Common iliac artery Abdominal aorta Thoracic aorta Aortic arch Ascending aorta 3. The femoral vein is used to reach the right side of the heart. The catheter passes through the following: Femoral vein External iliac vein Common iliac vein Inferior vena cava