Femoral Triangle

Definition

The triangle that lies between the inguinal ligament, sartorius muscle and the medial border of adductor longus muscle.

Otherwise called Scarpa's femoral triangle.

Floor of the triangle is like a gutter

Contents:

Femoral nerve

Femoral vessels : femoral artery and femoral vein

The muscles lying in the floor of the femoral triangle are the

Iliacus

Psoas

Pectineus

Adductor brevis with obturator nerve lying on it.

o All these muscles pass to the posterior aspect of the femur, hence the gutter shape of the floor of the triangle.

Applied Anatomy

o The great saphenous vein pierces the cribriform fascia and joins the femoral vein in the femoral triangle. During operation for varicose veins the saphenous vein has to be ligated very close to the femoral vein

o Sampling of venous blood by femoral puncture when veins are not available at other sites