Medial circumflex femoral artery
4485476
187095667
2008-01-26T20:43:32Z
Arcadian
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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}}