====== FEMORAL ARTERY ====== * Origin * It is the continuation of external iliac artery. It begins behind the inguinal ligament at the midinguinal point * extent and course * passes downwards and medially * first in femoral canal * then in adductor canal * at the lower end * passes through an opening in adductor magnus * to become continuous with popliteal arteery * in the femoral triangle * relations * anteriorly * Skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia and the anterior wall of the femoral sheath. * posteriorly * Psoas major, the pectineus, and the adductor longus. The posterior w all of the femoral sheath intervenes between these structures and the artery * medially * Just below the inguinal ligament the femoral vein is medial to the artery. * However, the vein gradually crosses to the lateral side to lie posterior to the artery * it is directly behind the artery at the apex of the femoral triangle, arid lateral to the lower end of the artery * laterally * The femoral nerve is lateral to the upper part of the artery. Lower down the artery is related to the branches of the nerve. * branches * The femoral artery traverses the triangle from its base at the midinguinal point to the apex. In the triangle, it gives off six branches, three superficial and three deep branches * profunda femoris artery * deep external pudendal artery * muscular branches