Femoral Health Dictionary

A major blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the leg. The femoral artery is formed in the pelvis from the iliac artery (the terminal branch of the aorta). It then runs from the groin, down in front of the thigh, and passes behind the knee to become the popliteal artery, which branches again to supply the lower leg.... femoral artery

One of the main nerves of the leg. The nerve fibres making up the femoral nerve emerge from the lower spine and run down into the thigh, where they branch to supply the skin and quadriceps muscles.

Damage to the femoral nerve (which impairs the ability to straighten the knee) is usually caused by a slipped disc in the lumbar region of the spine (see disc prolapse). Damage may also result from a backward dislocation of the hip or a neuropathy.... femoral nerve

Displacement of the upper epiphysis (growing end) of the femur (thigh bone). Such displacement is rare; it usually affects children between 11 and 13, and occurs more often in boys and obese children. The condition may also run in families. During normal growth, the epiphysis is separated from the shaft of the bone by a plate of cartilage. This is an area of relative weakness, so that a fall or other injury can cause the epiphysis to slip out of position. A limp develops, and pain is felt in the knee or groin. The leg tends to turn outwards and hip movements are restricted.

Surgery is needed to fix the epiphysis into its correct position and is usually completely successful.

In some cases, the other hip may also need to be stabilized.... femoral epiphysis, slipped

A type of hernia that occurs in the groin area, where the femoral artery and femoral vein pass from the lower abdomen to the thigh.... femoral hernia

See femoral epiphysis, slipped.... slipped femoral epiphysis

see femur.... femoral epiphysis

(Scarpa’s triangle) a triangular depression on the inner side of the thigh bounded by the sartorius and adductor longus muscles and the inguinal ligament. The pulse can be felt here as the femoral artery lies over the depression.... femoral triangle

a condition that occurs when the upper (capital) epiphysis of the femur slips in relation to the rest of the femur. It most commonly affects older teenage boys who are overweight. The main symptoms are pain in the hip or knee and limping gait. It can be diagnosed on X-ray. Treatment usually involves surgery to stabilize the epiphysis.... slipped capital femoral epiphysis