Femoral Triangle
The femoral triangle is a wedge-shaped depression on the anterior aspect of the upper thigh. It serves as a major passageway for neurovascular structures between the abdomen and lower limb and is clinically important for femoral pulse palpation, catheterization, and hernia assessment.
Boundaries
superior
Inguinal ligament
inferior
Apex where sartorius crosses over adductor longus
anterior
Skin, fascia lata, cribriform fascia
posterior
Iliopsoas (lateral), pectineus (medial), adductor longus (medial floor)
lateral
Medial border of sartorius
medial
Medial border of adductor longus
Contents
From lateral to medial (NAVY)
Deep structures
Nerves
- • Femoral nerve
- • Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (may pass through)
- • Branches of femoral nerve (to quadriceps, sartorius)
Vessels
- • Femoral artery
- • Femoral vein
- • Profunda femoris artery
- • Great saphenous vein (joins femoral vein)
- • Femoral lymph nodes
Muscles
- • Sartorius (lateral boundary)
- • Adductor longus (medial boundary)
- • Iliopsoas (floor, lateral)
- • Pectineus (floor, medial)
Clinical Relevance
- •Femoral pulse: Palpated at the midinguinal point, used in CPR assessment and catheterization landmark
- •Femoral catheterization: Artery accessed for angiography, vein for central line, remember NAVEL order
- •Femoral hernia: Passes through femoral canal, medial to femoral vein, presents below inguinal ligament
- •Femoral nerve block: Anesthetizes anterior thigh and knee for surgery
Study Tips
- ✓NAVY or NAVEL: Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty (lymphatics), from Lateral to medial
- ✓Femoral sheath contains artery, vein, and canal (nerve is OUTSIDE the sheath)
- ✓Femoral canal is the medial compartment of the femoral sheath
- ✓Profunda femoris is the main blood supply to the thigh, branches about 4cm below inguinal ligament
Femoral Triangle FAQs
Common questions about this region
The femoral sheath is a continuation of transversalis fascia and iliac fascia around the vessels. The femoral nerve lies in a different fascial plane between iliacus and psoas, so it doesn't get enclosed in the sheath.
The femoral canal normally contains lymphatics and fat. It's a potential weak point where femoral hernias can occur. These hernias are more common in women and have a high risk of strangulation due to the rigid boundaries.