What is the femoral sheath and what is its function?

The femoral sheath is a funnel-shaped fascial extension that encloses the upper 3.75 cm of the femoral vessels. It originates from the abdominal fascia and allows smooth passage of these vessels into the thigh, with its apex blending into their adventitia.

What are the compartments of the femoral sheath and what do they contain?

The femoral sheath has three vertical compartments: the lateral compartment contains the femoral artery and genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, the intermediate compartment contains the femoral vein, and the medial compartment (femoral canal) contains Cloquet’s lymph node and fibrofatty tissue.

What is the femoral canal and why is it important?

The femoral canal is the medial compartment of the femoral sheath. It provides space for expansion of the femoral vein and is conical, narrowing inferiorly, with its upper opening called the femoral ring.

What are the boundaries of the femoral ring?

The boundaries of the femoral ring are: anteriorly by the inguinal ligament, posteriorly by the pecten pubis, medially by the lacunar ligament, and laterally by the femoral vein.

What is a femoral hernia and how does it occur?

A femoral hernia occurs when abdominal contents (like intestine) protrude through the femoral ring into the femoral canal. It appears as a swelling below the inguinal ligament, inferolateral to the pubic tubercle.

Why are femoral hernias more common in females?

Femoral hernias are more common in females due to a wider pelvis and larger femoral ring, which increases the risk of abdominal contents passing through.

What structures form the walls of the femoral sheath?

The walls of the femoral sheath are formed by the anterior wall as a downward prolongation of fascia transversalis and the posterior wall as a downward prolongation of fascia iliaca. It is asymmetrical, with a vertical lateral wall and oblique medial wall.

Femoral Sheath & Femoral Canal – Anatomy & Hernias

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