The origin of the medial femoral circumflex artery, lateral femoral circumflex artery and obturator artery

M Czubak-Wrzosek,P Wrzosek,M Zlotorowicz,J Czubak

doi:10.1007/s00276-018-2012-6

M Czubak-Wrzosek, P Wrzosek + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-018-2012-6

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Abstract

IntroductionThe most significant blood vessel supplying the hip joint is the medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA). MFCA with lateral femoral circumflex artery (LFCA) are the first branches of the deep femoral artery (DFA) or they originate directly from the common femoral artery (CFA) or superficial femoral artery (SFA).Purpose and methodsWe analyzed 100 CT angiogram of the hip region [72 men, 28 women; mean age 46.4 (14–80)] to assess the frequency of each type of division of the MFCA and LFCA from either the DFA or directly from the CFA or SFA. To assess the variations on each side in one individual we analyzed both hips in 73 patients [mean age 46.6 (14–80)].ResultsMany different types of division have been described. The most frequent one in which both the MFCA and LFCA originate from the DFA, was observed in 50% of patients. In 31% of hips the MFCA originates from the CFA. In our study, a normal origin of the obturator artery from the internal iliac artery was observed in 67% of patients and an atypical origin, called corona mortis was observed in 33% of patients.ConclusionsThe deep branch of the MFCA is the main artery supplying the femoral head, it is at risk during surgical approach to the hip joint. The atypical anastomosis called corona mortis is also at risk while performing the approach to pubic bone. Therefore, knowledge of their topography is very important.

Highlights

The most significant blood vessel supplying the hip joint is the medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA)
The most frequent one, truncus profundocircumflexus perfectus, named after Adachi [1] in which both the MFCA and lateral femoral circumflex artery (LFCA) originate from the deep femoral artery, was observed in 50% of patients (Fig. 1)
In 28 of 31 hips, the MFCA originates from the common femoral artery, and in 3 of 31 hips, the MFCA originates from superficial femoral artery

Summary

Introduction

The most significant blood vessel supplying the hip joint is the medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA). MFCA with lateral femoral circumflex artery (LFCA) are the first branches of the deep femoral artery (DFA) or they originate directly from the common femoral artery (CFA) or superficial femoral artery (SFA). Conclusions The deep branch of the MFCA is the main artery supplying the femoral head, it is at risk during surgical approach to the hip joint. The lateral femoral circumflex artery (LFCA) supplies the soft tissues around the hip joint These two are the first branches of the deep femoral artery or they originate directly from the common femoral artery or superficial femoral artery.

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