Arteries of the Upper Legs, Anterior View

Description

Anteriorly, the abdominal aorta bifurcates into the right and left common iliac arteries, which divide into internal and external iliac arteries along the pelvic brim before continuing as the femoral arteries inferior to the inguinal ligament. Each femoral artery descends in the femoral triangle, lying anteromedial to the femur and giving off the profunda femoris artery with circumflex branches that sweep laterally and medially around the proximal thigh. Distal branches track toward the quadriceps compartment, while superficial venous return is indicated by the great saphenous vein ascending along the medial thigh to join the femoral vein at the saphenofemoral junction. Color coding distinguishes arteries (red) from veins (blue). Clear and fast to read. For clinicians, this anterior arrangement maps directly onto where you palpate the femoral pulse and where vascular access is obtained for coronary angiography, endovascular aortic repair, and other catheter-based procedures. The relationship of the femoral artery to the inguinal ligament and femoral triangle helps teach why punctures that are too proximal risk retroperitoneal hemorrhage, while punctures that are too distal increase pseudoaneurysm or arteriovenous fistula risk. The proximal thigh branching pattern also frames the collateral pathways that become relevant in femoral artery occlusive disease, and it sets the stage for understanding profunda femoris preservation during bypass planning. Use this plate in gross anatomy and clinical anatomy teaching to connect surface landmarks (inguinal ligament, femoral triangle) with deep arterial routes, and in nursing, paramedic, or interventional radiology training materials that cover pulse assessment, hemorrhage control, and femoral access technique. It also fits textbook chapters and patient-education diagrams on peripheral arterial disease, varicosities of the great saphenous system, and post-catheterization complications. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.