688 THE VASCULAR SYSTEMS 



the apex of Scarpa's triangle to the femoral opening in the Adductor magnus 

 muscle. It is bounded, externally, by the Vastus internus: internally, by the 

 Adductors longus and magnus muscles; and is covered in by a strong aponeurosis 

 which extends transversely from the Vastus internus across the femoral ves 



to the Adductor longus and magnus; lying on which aponeutosis is the Sartorius. 

 m u seta It contains the femoral artery and vein enclosed in their own sheath of 

 areolar tissue, the vein being behind and on the outer side of the artery, and the 

 internal or long saphenous nerve lying at first on the outer side and then in front 

 of the vessels. 



Relations. The relations of the artery differ along its course. In Scarpa's triangle the 

 femoral artery is very superficial, being covered by the skin and superficial fascia, superficial 

 inguinal lymph nodes, the iliac portion of the fascia lata, and the anterior part of the femoral 

 sheath. The femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve courses for a short distance within the 

 outer compartment of the femoral sheath and lies at first in front and then on the outer side of 

 the artery. Near the apex of Scarpa's triangle the internal cutaneous nerve crosses the artery 

 from without inward. 



Behind the artery are the posterior part of the femoral sheath, the pubic portion 

 of the fascia lata, the inner part of the tendon of the Psoas, the Pectineus and 

 Adductor longus. The artery is separated from the capsule of the hip-joint by 

 the tendon of the Psoas, from the Pectineus by the femoral vein and profunda 

 vessels, and from the Adductor longus by the femoral vein. The nerve to the 

 Pectineus passes inward behind the artery. On the outer side of the artery, but 

 separated from it by some fibres of the Psoas, is the femoral nerve. The femoral 

 vein is on the inner side of the upper part of the artery, but is behind the vessel 

 in the lower part of Scarpa's triangle. 



PLAN OF THE RELATIONS OF THE FEMORAL ARTERY IN SCARPA'S TRIANGLE. 



In front. 



Skin and superficial fascia. 

 Superficial inguinal nodes. 

 Iliac portion of fascia lata. 

 Prolongation of transversalis fascia. 

 Femoral branch of genitofemoral nerve. 

 Superficial circumflex iliac vein. 

 Superficial epigastric vein. 



>v Outer side. 



I Femoral ] Small part of Psoas muscle, 



Femoral vein. I Artery. J separating the artery from 



N^ ./ the femoral nerve. 



Behind. 



Prolongation of fascia covering the Iliacus muscle. 

 Pubic portion of fascia lata. 

 Nerve to Pectineus. 

 Tendon of Psoas muscle. 

 Pectineus muscle. 

 Capsule of hip-joint. 



In Hunter's canal the femoral artery is more deeply situated, being covered 

 by the integument, the superficial and deep fasciae, the Sartorius and the fibrous 

 roof of the canal; it is crossed from without inward by the long saphenous nerve. 

 Behind the artery are the Adductores longus et magnus; in front and to its outer 

 side is the Vastus internus. The femoral vein lies behind the upper part, and on 

 the outer side of the lower part of the artery. AS the artery passes out of Scarpa's 



