Ortho Preferred Malpractice Insurance
Home » Joints » Knee » Anastomoses of Lower Limb Arteries

Anastomoses of Lower Limb Arteries


- See
     - Arterial Menu
     - Cruciate Anastomosis

- Discussion:
    - anastomoses between:
          - superior & inferior gluteal arteries and medial & lateral circumflex;
          - deep circumflex artery & ascending lateral circumflex femoral
          - these vessels provide collateral circulation when femoral artery is occluded above origin of the profunda femoris ;
          - internal iliac & profunda femoris can be ligated w/ impunity;
          - ligation of external iliac or femoral artery below exit of profunda femoris will restrict blood flow but is not accompanied by gangrene;
          - ligation of the femoral artery above the exit of the profunda femoris artery or in adductor canal, or common iliac artery is catatrophic;
    - although there is copius arterial communications about knee joint between branches of femoral artery,  lateral femoral circumflex artery,
          anterior tibial artery, & popliteal artery, there is inadequate collateral circulation to supply leg w/ popliteal disruption;
    - numerous anastomoses between anterior & posterior tibial artery maintain viability when either is occluded; 

angiographic 3D view


Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery

Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Femoral Artery

Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Profunda Femoris Artery

Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Medial and Lateral Femoral Circumflex Arteries