What is the femoral vein and where does it begin?

The femoral vein is the main deep vein of the lower limb. It starts as the continuation of the popliteal vein at the adductor hiatus.

What are the major tributaries of the femoral vein?

The femoral vein receives several tributaries, including the great saphenous vein (a superficial tributary), the profunda femoris vein (a major deep tributary), and medial and lateral circumflex femoral veins.

Why is the femoral vein important for clinical venous access?

It is commonly used for venous access in infants and emergencies when peripheral access is difficult. It also serves as a route for central venous access procedures like right heart catheterization.

How is the femoral vein used for central venous access?

For central access, a catheter follows this path: femoral vein to external iliac vein to common iliac vein to inferior vena cava to right atrium to right ventricle.

Where does the femoral vein end and what does it become?

The femoral vein ascends through the thigh and becomes the external iliac vein posterior to the inguinal ligament, just medial to the midinguinal point.

What anatomical structures does the femoral vein pass through?

It ascends through the adductor canal and femoral triangle, then traverses the intermediate compartment of the femoral sheath.

Femoral Vein – Course, Tributaries & Venous Access