578 THE BLOOD-VASCULAR SYSTEM. 



Branches. The branches of the femoral artery are the 



Superficial Epigastric. ( External Circumflex. 



Superficial Circumflex Iliac. Profunda < Internal Circumflex. 



Superficial External Pudic. ( Three Perforating. 



Deep External Pudic. Muscular. 



Anastomotica Magna. 



The superficial epigastric arises from the femoral about half an inch below Pou- 

 part's ligament, and, passing through the saphenous opening in the fascia lata, 

 ascends on the abdomen, in the superficial fascia covering the External oblique 

 muscle, nearly as high as the umbilicus. It distributes branches to the superficial 

 inguinal glands, the superficial fascia, and the integument, anastomosing with 

 branches of the deep epigastric. 



The superficial circumflex iliac, the smallest of the cutaneous branches, arises 

 close to the preceding, and, piercing the fascia lata, runs outward, parallel with 

 Poupart's ligament, as far as the crest of the ilium, dividing into branches which 

 supply the integument of the groin, the superficial fascia, and the superficial ingui- 

 nal lymphatic glands, anastomosing with the deep circumflex iliac and with the 

 gluteal and external circumflex arteries. 



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

 artery, close to the preceding vessels, and, after passing through the saphenous opening, 

 courses inward, across the spermatic cord or round ligament, to be distributed to the 

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

 and the labium in the female, anastomosing with branches of the internal pudic. 



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

 inward across the Pectineus and Adductor longus muscles, covered by the fascia 

 lata, which it pierces at the inner border of the thigh, its branches being distrib- 

 uted, in the male, to the integument of the scrotum and perinaeum ; and in the 

 female to the labium, anastomosing with branches of the superficial perineal artery. 



The Profunda Femoris (deep femoral artery] (Fig. 318) 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 behind it and the femoral 

 vein to the inner side of the femur, and, passing downward beneath the Adductor 

 longus, terminates at the lower third of the thigh in a small branch which pierces 

 the Adductor magnus (and from this circumstance is sometimes called the fourth 

 perforating artery), and is 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 Pectineus, 

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

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

 by the Adductor longus. On its outer side the origin of the Vastus interims sepa- 

 rates it from the femur. 



PLAN OF THE RELATIONS OF THE PROFUNDA ARTERY. 



In front. 



Superficial femoral artery. 

 Femoral and Profunda veins. 

 Adductor longus. 



Outer side. 

 Vastus internus. 



Behind. 

 Iliacus. 

 Pectineus. 

 Adductor brevis. 

 Adductor magnus. 



