Medial circumflex femoral artery 4485476 187095667 2008-01-26T20:43:32Z Arcadian 104523 split {{Infobox Artery | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = arteria circumflexa femoris medialis | GraySubject = 157 | GrayPage = 630 | Image = Circumflex femoral arteries.png | Caption = The profunda femoris artery, femoral artery and their major branches - right thigh, anterior view. Circumflex femoral arteries labeled. | Image2 = | Caption2 = | BranchFrom = [[deep femoral artery]], [[femoral artery]] | BranchTo = | Vein = | Supplies = [[thigh]] | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = a_61 | DorlandsSuf = 12153896 | }} The '''medial circumflex femoral artery''' ('''internal circumflex artery''', '''medial femoral circumflex artery''') is an [[artery]] in the upper thigh that helps supply blood to the [[neck of the femur]]. ==Structure== The medial femoral circumflex artery arises from the medial and posterior aspect of the [[profunda femoris]] artery, and winds around the medial side of the [[femur]], passing first between the [[pectineus]] and [[iliopsoas]] muscles, and then between the [[obturator externus]] and the [[adductor brevis]] muscles. The medial femoral circumflex artery may occasionally arise directly from the [[femoral artery]]. ===Branches=== At the upper border of the [[adductor brevis]] it gives off two branches: * The ''[[Ascending branch of medial circumflex femoral artery|ascending branch]]'' * The ''descending branch'' descends beneath the [[adductor brevis]], to supply it and the [[adductor magnus]]; the continuation of the vessel passes backward and divides into superficial, deep, and acetabular branches. ** The ''[[Superficial branch of medial circumflex femoral artery|superficial branch]]'' ** The ''[[Deep branch of medial circumflex femoral artery|deep branch]]'' ** The ''[[Acetabular branch of medial circumflex femoral artery|acetabular branch]]'' ==See also== * [[Lateral femoral circumflex artery]] ==External links== * {{DukeOrtho|medial_femoral_circumflex_artery}} * {{eMedicineDictionary|medial+circumflex+femoral+artery}} * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|12|04|06}} - "Arteries of the lower extremity shown in association with major landmarks." {{Gray's}} {{circulatory-stub}} {{Arteries of lower limbs}}