Femoral triangle

Infobox Anatomy
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = trigonum femorale
GraySubject = 157
GrayPage = 626

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Caption = Drawing of the left femoral triangle - shows superior portion of the femoral vein.


Caption2 = Right femoral sheath laid open to show its three compartments
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DorlandsPre = t_19
DorlandsSuf = 12823448
The femoral triangle (of Scarpa) is an anatomical region of the upper inner human thigh.

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"MedicalMnemonics|1142|5414|2776|10]

Its floor is formed (medial to lateral) by adductor longus, pectineus and iliopsoas. [cite web |url=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/wnor/antthigh.htm |title=Anterior Thigh |accessdate=2008-01-27 |format= |work=] Its roof is formed by the fascia lata.

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

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.

Mnemonics

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

* 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 - "vein, 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

=Additional

References

External links

* - "Anterior and Medial Thigh Region: Boundaries of the Femoral Triangle"
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* [http://courses.washington.edu/hubio553/atlas/209.html Diagram at washington.edu]

[fr:Triangle de Scarpa]