Location
Moultrie, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Introduction: The common femoral artery (CFA) is the principal arterial supply to the lower limb and a critical landmark in surgical, orthopedic, and interventional procedures. Typically, the CFA gives rise to the deep femoral artery (DFA) and continues distally as the superficial femoral artery (SFA). The lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) and medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA) most commonly originate from the DFA. However, documented anatomical variations in the femoral arterial branching patterns underscore the importance of recognizing deviations that may influence clinical decision‑making.
Objective: This study describes two rare anatomical variations identified during routine cadaveric dissection in which three distinct branches, viz., the SFA, DFA, and LCFA, arose from a common origin at the CFA in the right lower limb, and the MCFA arose from the CFA in both lower limbs.
Methods: Detailed dissections of the right and left femoral triangles were performed on an adult cadaver as part of a first‑year medical school anatomy laboratory. Standard anatomical protocols were used to expose the femoral artery and its branches. The origin, course, and spatial relationships of each arterial branch were documented and compared with established anatomical descriptions.
Results: Dissection revealed an atypical branching pattern in which the right LCFA arose directly from the right CFA rather than from the right DFA. This configuration formed a trifurcation of the CFA into the SFA, DFA, and LCFA. In addition, the MCFA originated directly from the CFA in both lower limbs rather than from the DFA.
Discussion: Awareness of such variations is crucial for clinicians performing vascular access, flap harvesting, or operative exposure of the femoral triangle. Recognition of atypical arterial patterns can reduce the risk of iatrogenic injury, improve surgical planning, and enhance interpretation of angiographic imaging.
Embargo Period
5-27-2026
Included in
Anatomical variation of lateral and medial circumflex femoral arteries identified during cadaveric dissection
Moultrie, GA
Introduction: The common femoral artery (CFA) is the principal arterial supply to the lower limb and a critical landmark in surgical, orthopedic, and interventional procedures. Typically, the CFA gives rise to the deep femoral artery (DFA) and continues distally as the superficial femoral artery (SFA). The lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) and medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA) most commonly originate from the DFA. However, documented anatomical variations in the femoral arterial branching patterns underscore the importance of recognizing deviations that may influence clinical decision‑making.
Objective: This study describes two rare anatomical variations identified during routine cadaveric dissection in which three distinct branches, viz., the SFA, DFA, and LCFA, arose from a common origin at the CFA in the right lower limb, and the MCFA arose from the CFA in both lower limbs.
Methods: Detailed dissections of the right and left femoral triangles were performed on an adult cadaver as part of a first‑year medical school anatomy laboratory. Standard anatomical protocols were used to expose the femoral artery and its branches. The origin, course, and spatial relationships of each arterial branch were documented and compared with established anatomical descriptions.
Results: Dissection revealed an atypical branching pattern in which the right LCFA arose directly from the right CFA rather than from the right DFA. This configuration formed a trifurcation of the CFA into the SFA, DFA, and LCFA. In addition, the MCFA originated directly from the CFA in both lower limbs rather than from the DFA.
Discussion: Awareness of such variations is crucial for clinicians performing vascular access, flap harvesting, or operative exposure of the femoral triangle. Recognition of atypical arterial patterns can reduce the risk of iatrogenic injury, improve surgical planning, and enhance interpretation of angiographic imaging.