Femoral sheath 5174941 216618455 2008-06-02T13:24:02Z Studentmed 7205941 {{Infobox Anatomy | Name = Femoral sheath | Latin = | GraySubject = 157 | GrayPage = 625 | Image = Gray545.png | Caption = Femoral sheath laid open to show its three compartments. | Image2 = Gray546.png | Caption2 = Structures passing behind the inguinal ligament. | System = | Precursor = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = s_10 | DorlandsSuf = 12732844 | }} The '''femoral sheath''' ('''crural sheath''') is formed by a prolongation downward, behind the [[inguinal ligament]], of the [[fasciƦ]] which line the [[abdomen]], the [[transversalis fascia]] being continued down in front of the femoral vessels and the [[iliac fascia]] behind them. The sheath assumes the form of a short funnel, the wide end of which is directed upward, while the lower, narrow end fuses with the fascial investment of the vessels, about 4 cm. below the [[inguinal ligament]]. It is strengthened in front by a band termed the [[deep crural arch]]. The lateral wall of the sheath is vertical and is perforated by the [[lumboinguinal nerve]]; the medial wall is directed obliquely downward and lateralward, and is pierced by the [[great saphenous vein]] and by some [[lymphatic]] vessels. The sheath is divided by two vertical partitions which stretch between its anterior and posterior walls. The lateral compartment contains the [[femoral artery]], and the intermediate the [[femoral vein]], while the medial and smallest compartment is named the [[femoral canal]], and contains some lymphatic vessels and a lymph gland imbedded in a small amount of [[areolar]] tissue. The femoral canal is conical and measures about 1.25 cm. in length. Its base, directed upward and named the [[femoral ring]], is oval in form, its long diameter being directed transversely and measuring about 1.25 cm. The femoral ring is bounded in front by the [[inguinal ligament]], behind by the [[Pectineus]] covered by the [[pectineal fascia]], medially by the crescentic base of the [[lacunar ligament]], and laterally by the fibrous septum on the medial side of the [[femoral vein]]. Its is through this [[femoral ring]], that the intestines can protrude to form [[femoral hernia]]. The [[spermatic cord]] in the male and the [[round ligament]] of the [[uterus]] in the female lie immediately above the anterior margin of the ring, while the [[inferior epigastric]] vessels are close to its upper and lateral angle. The femoral ring is closed by a somewhat condensed portion of the extraperitoneal fatty tissue, named the [[septum femorale]] ([[crural septum]]), the abdominal surface of which supports a small [[lymph gland]] and is covered by the [[parietal layer]] of the [[peritoneum]]. The [[septum femorale]] is pierced by numerous lymphatic vessels passing from the [[deep inguinal]] to the [[external iliac lymph gland]]s, and the [[parietal peritoneum]] immediately above it presents a slight depression named the [[femoral fossa]]. ==External links== * [http://www.gla.ac.uk/ibls/fab/tutorial/anatomy/femoralt.html#T4 Photo and overview at gla.ac.uk] * [http://www.duj.com/Article/Lynch/Lynchfig6.html Diagram at duj.com] * {{NormanAnatomy|antthigh}} * [http://depts.washington.edu/anesth/regional/fnfascia.html Diagram at washington.edu] {{Gray's}} {{Lower limb general}} [[Category: Anatomy]]