PROFUNDA ARTERY. 325 



Hquely outwards towards the crest of the ilium. It supplies the integument 

 of the groin, the superficial fascia, and inguinal glands. 



The Superficial epigastric arises from the femoral, immediately below 

 Poupart's ligament, pierces the fascia lata, and ascends obliquely towards 

 the umbilicus between the two layers of superficial fascia. It distributes 

 branches to the inguinal glands and integument, and inosculates with 

 branches of the deep epigastric and internal mammary artery. 



The Superficial external pudic arises near the superficial epigastric 

 artery ; it pierces the fascia lata, at the saphenous opening, and passes 

 transversely inwards, crossing the spermatic cord, to be distributed to the 

 integument of the penis and scrotum in the male, and to the labia in the 

 female. 



The Deep external pudic arises from the femoral, a little lower down 

 than the preceding : it crosses the femoral vein immediately below the 

 termination of the internal saphenous vein, and piercing the pubic portion 

 of the fascia lata, passes beneath that fascia to the inner border of the 

 thigh, where it again pierces the fascia ; having become superficial, it is 

 distributed to the integument of the scrotum and perineum. 



The PROFUNDA FEMORIS arises from the femoral artery at two inches 

 below Poupart's ligament : it passes downwards and backwards and a 

 little outwards, behind the adductor longus muscle, pierces the adductor 

 magnus, and is distributed to the flexor muscles on the posterior part of 

 the thigh. 



Relations. In its course downwards it rests successively upon the pecti- 

 neus, the conjoined tendon of the psoas and iliacus, adductor brevis, and 

 adductor magnus muscles. To its outer side the tendinous insertion of 

 the vastus internus muscle intervenes between it and the femur ; on its 

 inner side it is in relation with the pectineus, adductor brevis, and adduc- 

 tor magnus ; and in front it is separated from the femoral artery, above by 

 the profunda vein and femoral vein, and below by the adductor longus 

 muscle. 



Plan of the Relations of the Profunda Artery. 



In Front. 



Profunda vein, 

 Adductor longus. 



Inner Side. 



Pectineus, 

 Adductor brevis, 

 Adductor magnus. 



Profunda artery. 



Outer Side. 



Psoas and iliacus, 

 Vastus internus, 

 Femur. 



Behind. 



Pectineus, 



Tendon of psoas and iliacus, 

 Adductor brevis, 

 Adductor magnus. 



Branches. -The branches of the profunda artery are, the external cir- 

 cumflex, internal circumflex, and three perforating arteries. 



The External circumflex artery passes obliquely outwards between the. 



