Femoral triangle

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Femoral triangle
Drawing of the left femoral triangle - shows superior portion of the femoral vein.
Right femoral sheath laid open to show its three compartments
Latin	trigonum femoris
Gray's	subject #157 626
Dorlands/Elsevier	t_19/12823448

The femoral triangle (of Scarpa) is an anatomical region of the upper inner human thigh.

Contents 1 Boundaries 2 Contents 3 Clinical significance 4 Mnemonics 5 Additional images 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Boundaries

It is bounded by:

• (superiorly) the inguinal ligament
• (medially) the medial border of adductor longus muscle
• (laterally) the medial border of sartorius muscle

One mnemonic to remember the boundaries is "So I May Always Love Sally"^[1]

Its floor is formed by the iliopsoas and pectineus.^[2] Its roof is formed by the fascia lata.

[edit] Contents

It is important as a number of vital structures pass through it, right under the skin. The following structures are contained within the femoral triangle (from lateral to medial):

• the femoral nerve (not contained within the femoral sheath)
• the femoral artery
• the femoral vein

These structures are also within the femoral triangle:

• the Iliopsoas muscle (Iliacus and Psoas major tendons joined together)
• the Pectineus muscle
• deep inguinal lymph nodes

[edit] Clinical significance

Since the femoral triangle provides easy access to a major artery, coronary angioplasty is often performed by entering the femoral artery at the femoral triangle. In first aid, heavy bleeding in the leg can be stopped by applying pressure to points in the femoral triangle.

[edit] Mnemonics

Several mnemonics have been created to remember the order of the nerve, artery, and vein in this triangle:^[1]

• lateral to medial - "NAVY": nerve, artery, vein, Y-fronts. (Y-fronts are a type of underwear.)
• lateral to medial - "NAVEL" nerve, artery, vein, empty space, lymphatics.
• medial to lateral - "VAN": vein, artery, nerve. These three structures are found in the same order in the intercostal space, from top to bottom.
• medial to lateral - "vagina, artery, nerve"
• the phrase "venous near the penis" can be used to remember that the vein is more medial than the artery or nerve.
• medial to lateral - "IVAN": Inside, Vein, Artery, Nerve
• lateral to medial "Take a SIP of the Adductor Longus, that's next to my penis": Sartorius, Ilipsoas, Pectineus, Adductor Longus

[edit] Additional images

Front and medial aspect of right thigh.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Mnemonic at medicalmnemonics.com 1142 5414 2776 10
2. ^ Anterior Thigh. Retrieved on 2008-01-27.

[edit] External links

• SUNY Labs 12:02-0101 - "Anterior and Medial Thigh Region: Boundaries of the Femoral Triangle"
• -483065779 at GPnotebook
• Femoral+triangle at eMedicine Dictionary
• Norman/Georgetown antthigh
• Diagram at washington.edu

v • d • e General anatomy of lower limbs Buttocks Gluteal sulcus - Gluteal cleft Thigh Fascial compartments of thigh (Anterior, Medial, Posterior) Inguinal ligament • Pectineal ligament • Lacunar ligament • Reflected inguinal ligament • Conjoint tendon • Interfoveolar ligament Obturator membrane/Obturator canal Femoral triangle • Femoral sheath (Femoral canal) • Femoral ring Adductor canal • Adductor hiatus fascia/fascia lata (Iliotibial tract, Lateral intermuscular septum of thigh, Medial intermuscular septum of thigh, Fascia cribrosa/Saphenous opening) Crus (anatomic leg) Popliteal fossa • Calf • Shin • Pes anserinus • Interosseous membrane of the leg Fascial compartments of leg (Anterior, Lateral, Posterior) fascia/crural fascia (Anterior crural intermuscular septum, Posterior crural intermuscular septum, Transverse intermuscular septum) Foot Heel • Toe (Hallux, Fifth toe) • Sole • Achilles tendon • Tarsal tunnel fascia (Plantar fascia) retinacula (Peroneal, Inferior extensor, Superior extensor, Flexor)