A morphological study of the medial and lateral femoral circumflex arteries: a proposed new classification

Abstract

Background: Confirming the branching pattern of the deep femoral artery (DFA) is vital in planning radiological and surgical procedures involving the medial circumflex femoral artery (MFCA) and the lateral circumflex artery (LFCA). The aim of this study was to characterise the course and morphology of branches of the DFA. Materials and methods: The anatomical dissection included 80 lower limbs which were fixed in 10% formalin solution. A dissection of the femoral region was carried out according to a pre-established protocol, using traditional techniques. Morphometric measurements were obtained twice by two researchers.Results: Six types of medial and lateral femoral circumflex artery variations were distinguished. In type I, the DFA divides into the MFCA and the LFCA (observed in 45% of cases). In type II, the MFCA is absent and the LFCA origin normally from the DFA (18.75%). In type III, the MFCA arises from the femoral artery above the origin of the DFA, while the LFCA starts from the DFA (15%). Finally, in type IV, the LFCA arises from the femoral artery above the origin of the DFA, while the MFCA starts from the DFA (10%). In type V, the LFCA origin alone from the femoral artery below the origin of the DFA, while the MFCA origin from the DFA (7.5%), while in type VI (3.75%), both the MFCA and the LFCA origin from the femoral artery. The mean diameter of the femoral artery at the level of the DFA origin was greatest in type 2 (10.62 ± 2.07 mm) and the least in type 6 (7.90 ± ± 1.72 mm; p = 0.0317). The distance from inguinal ligament to where the DFA arose was the greatest in type 6 (78.24 ± 29.74 mm) and least in type 5 (28.85 ± 11.72 mm; p = 0.0529). Conclusions: The medial and lateral femoral circumflex arteries were characterised by high morphological variations. The diameter of the femoral artery at the level of inguinal ligament correlated with the diameter of the DFA and distance to where the DFA arises from femoral artery. (Folia Morphol 2019; 78, 4: 738-745)

Pelvic collateral pathway during endovascular aortoiliac aneurysm repair with internal iliac artery interruption: a retrospective observational study

“…In our study, LFCA originated from the DFA in 71.4% of patients and the FA in 28.6% of patients. Łabętowicz et al also reported that the MFCA origin above the LFCA was 63% [9], while the MFCA origin above the LFCA was 50.0% in the present study. Approximately 20% of the patients presenting with abdominal aortic aneurysms have concomitant iliac artery aneurysms [10].…”

An analysis of the variations and clinical applications of the lateral circumflex femoral artery

“…Labetowicz et al (9) found that the lateral circumflex femoral artery arises from the profunda femoris artery or the femoral artery in 78.75% and 21.25% of cases, respectively. Also, Tomaszewski et al (13) reported that the lateral circumflex artery was a branch of the profunda femoris artery and the femoral artery in 76.…”

“…The origin of FA and LCFA and their branches were carefully exposed and observed following a pre-established protocol of lower limb femoral region dissection described previously (9). Verification of the identities, courses, and branches of the FA, PFA, and LCFA, as well as any variations, were done by two senior anatomists (XDZ and JMH, corresponding authors).…”

An Unusual Variational Anatomy of the Medial Circumflex Femoral Artery: A Case Report of a Post-catheterization Femoral Arteriovenous Fistula

“…Its anatomy has usually been described with a focus on the origin and distance to the mid-inguinal point [4,5]. The anatomical relationships between the MCFA and the lateral circumflex femoral artery have also been investigated by several groups [6][7][8].…”