442 ARTERIES. 



The superficial external pudic (superior) arises from the inner side of the femoral 

 artery, close to the preceding vessels, and, after piercing the fascia lata at the 

 saphenous opening, passes inwards, across the spermatic cord, to be distributed to 

 the integument on the lower part of the abdomen, and of the penis and scrotum 

 in the male, and to the labia in the female, anastomosing with branches of the 

 internal pudic. 



The deep external pudic (inferior), more deeply seated than the preceding, passes 

 inwards on the Pectineus muscle, covered by the fascia lata, which it pierces 

 opposite the ramus of the pubes, its branches being distributed, in the male, to 

 the integument of the scrotum and perinseum, and in the female to the labium, 

 anastomosing with branches of the superficial perineal artery. 



The PROFUNDA FEMORIS or Deep Femoral Artery nearly equals the size of the 

 superficial femoral. It arises from the outer and back part of the femoral artery, 

 from one to two inches below Poupart's ligament. It at first lies on the outer 

 side of the superficial femoral, and then passes beneath it and the femoral vein to 

 the inner side of the femur, and terminates at the lower third of the thigh in a 

 small branch, which pierces the Adductor magnus, to be distributed to the Flexor 

 muscles, on the back of the thigh, anastomosing with branches of the popliteal 

 and inferior perforating arteries. 



Relations. Behind, it lies first upon the Iliacus, and then on the Adductor 

 brevis and Adductor magnus muscles. In front, it is separated from the femoral 

 artery, above, by the femoral and profunda veins, and below by the Adductor 

 longus. On its outer side, the insertion of the Vastus internus separates it from 

 the femur. 



PLAN OF THE EELATIONS OF THE PROFUNDA ARTERY. 



In front. 



Femoral and profunda veins. 

 Adductor longus. 



Outer side, 

 Vastus internus. 



Behind. 

 Iliacus. 



Adductor brevis. 

 Adductor magnus. 



The External Circumflex Artery supplies the muscles on the front of the thigh. 

 It arises from the outer side of the profunda, passes horizontally outwards, 

 between the divisions of the anterior crural nerve, and beneath the Sartorius and 

 Rectus muscles, and divides into three sets of branches, ascending, transverse, and 

 descending. 



The ascending branches pass upwards, beneath the Tensor vaginae femoris 

 muscle, to the outer side of the hip, anastomosing with the terminal branches 

 of the gluteal and circumflex iliac arteries. 



The descending branches, three or four in number, pass downwards, beneath 

 the Rectus, upon the Yasti muscles, to which they are distributed, one or two 

 passing beneath the Vastus externus as far as the knee, anastomosing with the 

 superior articular branches of the popliteal artery. 



The transverse branches, the smallest and least numerous, pass outwards over 

 the Crureus, pierce the Yastus externus, and wind round the femur to its back 

 part, just below the great trochanter, anastomosing at the back of the thigh with 

 the internal circumflex, sciatic, and superior perforating arteries. 



The Internal Circumflex Artery, smaller than the external, arises from the inner 

 <md back part of the profunda, and winds round the inner side of the femur, 



