The lateral circumflex femoral artery (also known as the lateral femoral circumflex artery or the external circumflex artery[1]) is an
artery in the upper thigh.[citation needed] It is usually a branch of the
profunda femoris artery, and produces three branches. It is mostly distributed to the muscles of the lateral thigh, supplying arterial blood to muscles of the knee extensor group.
Structure
Origin
The lateral femoral circumflex artery usually arises from the lateral side of the
profunda femoris artery, but may occasionally arise directly from the
femoral artery.[2] It is the largest branch of the profunda femoris artery.[2]
Course and relations
The lateral circumflex femoral artery usually courses anterior to the
femoral neck. It passes horizontally between the divisions of the
femoral nerve. It passes posterior to the
sartorius muscle and
rectus femoris muscle.[3] It passes laterally across the hip joint capsule.[4]
It divides into ascending, transverse, and
descending branches.[2]
Branches
The lateral circumflex femoral artery has three branches:
The lateral circumflex femoral artery mainly supplies muscles of the lateral thigh,[4] suppliyng the
vastus lateralis,
vastus intermedius, and
rectus femoris muscles.[5] Due to the fact that it passes across the thickest part of the hip joint capsule, it is in a less suitable position to supply the proximal femur so that most of the arterial supply to the
head and
neck of the femur is instead afforded by the
medial circumflex femoral artery.[4]
Variation
Origin
The lateral femoral circumflex artery has a variable origin.[2][6] In 67% of people, it arises 1.5
cm inferior to the origin of the profunda femoris artery, and in others it arises at different distances from this origin.[2] In up to 20% of people, it arises directly from the
femoral artery.[citation needed]
Course
A rare variant, where the lateral circumflex femoral artery passes posterior to the
femoral nerve, has also been reported (this is important in
orthopaedic surgery).[7]
^Power, John Hatch (5 March 2010). Anatomy of the Arteries of the Human Body, with the Descriptive Anatomy of the Heart Paperback. Nabu Press.
ISBN978-1146643283.
Anatomy figure: 12:04-01 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Arteries of the lower extremity shown in association with major landmarks."