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An analysis of the variations and clinical applications of the lateral circumflex femoral artery
Affiliations- Department of Human Anatomy Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
open access
Abstract
Background: Identifying the arterial variation of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) is a vital step in planning surgical and radiological approach. The aim of the study was to evaluate the variations and discuss the clinical correlates of the LCFA.
Materials and methods: Fifty eight adult cadavers (male 45, female 13) with 115 usable sides were used to assess and classify the origin and branches of the LCFA. Also its external diameter, distance from mid-inguinal ligament to sites of origin from the profunda femoris artery or femoral arteries.
Results: There were seven types of LCFA variations in this sample. We classified them as types A to G, of which type A was normal, that is, the one showing a single LCFA arising from the profunda femoris artery. Nearly 50.43% of the sample had type B–G variations, each having 13, 10, 23, 4, 4, and 3 cases, accounting for 11.30%, 8.70%, 20.00%, 3.48%, 3.48%, and 2.61%, respectively.
Conclusions: There are many variant types in the LCFA. To avoid iatrogenic injuries, clinicians must have a sound understanding of the variation types of this important blood vessel.
Abstract
Background: Identifying the arterial variation of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) is a vital step in planning surgical and radiological approach. The aim of the study was to evaluate the variations and discuss the clinical correlates of the LCFA.
Materials and methods: Fifty eight adult cadavers (male 45, female 13) with 115 usable sides were used to assess and classify the origin and branches of the LCFA. Also its external diameter, distance from mid-inguinal ligament to sites of origin from the profunda femoris artery or femoral arteries.
Results: There were seven types of LCFA variations in this sample. We classified them as types A to G, of which type A was normal, that is, the one showing a single LCFA arising from the profunda femoris artery. Nearly 50.43% of the sample had type B–G variations, each having 13, 10, 23, 4, 4, and 3 cases, accounting for 11.30%, 8.70%, 20.00%, 3.48%, 3.48%, and 2.61%, respectively.
Conclusions: There are many variant types in the LCFA. To avoid iatrogenic injuries, clinicians must have a sound understanding of the variation types of this important blood vessel.
Keywords
lateral circumflex femoral artery, variation, anatomy, clinical significance
About this articleTitle
An analysis of the variations and clinical applications of the lateral circumflex femoral artery
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
557-566
Published online
2020-08-14
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6870
Article views/downloads
1260
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2021;80(3):557-566.
Keywords
lateral circumflex femoral artery
variation
anatomy
clinical significance
Authors
M. Ma
H. Sang
Y. Ye
H. Zhuang
Z. Zhuang
Y. Qiu
X. Li
D. Xu
M. H. Jiang
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