Femoral sheath

Introduction

Information about femoral sheath( it is also known as crural sheath )
It is conical in shape , wide above and narrow below . It encases the upper portion of the femoral artery and vein and lymphatics, while the femoral nerve doesn’t enter the femoral sheath . Femoral sheath extends from the abdomen superiorly, to the inguinal ligament

Note

The inguinal ligament is also known by the
1. groin ligament
2. Poupart's ligament
3.Fallopian ligament
The inguinal ligament is a set of two narrow bands in the inguinal area of the body ( the thigh ). It attaches the external oblique muscles of the abdomen to the pelvis .

inferiorly . It has a variable length. It terminates by blending (joining)with the femoral vessels adventitia .
The femoral canal is formed by the femoral sheath .
Importance of this canal is allowing the femoral artery and vein to pass through the abdomen to the thigh.

note: femoral nerve not enclose by the femoral sheath

the femoral sheath has been formed by?
It is formed by the transversal psoas fascia within the abdomen.

Borders and relation

• Anteriorly , it is covered by the fascial lata

Note

The deep fascia of the thigh is known by fascia lata. Its space is too large because it covers the large thigh muscles , especially laterally. The thigh are separated into three compartments by fascia lata .

of the thigh.
• Posteriorly , it is relation to underlined iliacus and pectineus muscles
• The borders :
1. Medially by lacuna ligament.

Note

lacunar ligament, also known as Gimbernat’s ligament , is a ligament in the inguinal region. It connects the inguinal ligament to the pectineal ligament.

2. Laterally lies femoral nerve

fascia lata

The Femoral sheath is divided by a vertical septa
(connective tissue) into 3 compartments :
1. Lateral compartment: contains the femoral artery
2. Intermediate compartment : contains the femoral vein
3. Medial compartment(known as femoral canal): contains loose connective tissue and lymph nodes

The compartments of femoral sheath

The function of femoral sheath

1. To allow the femoral vessels and structures to glide underneath the inguinal ligament during hip flexion and extension . It provides a smooth fascial layer to facilitate this .
2. Protects the important vasculature of the thigh during the thigh movements.

References:
1.Anatomy , Abdomen and Pelvis , Femoral Sheath Mahabadi N , Lew V , Kang M. Books : 2.StatPearls Publishing ; 2022 Jan. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482388/
Femoral sheath Assoc Prof Craig Hacking on 29 Aug 2021. Radiopaedia
.https://radiopaedia.org/articles/femoral-sheath
3.Femoral sheath repair,NHS.

4.MOORE Clinically Oriented ANATOMY Keith L. Moore Arthur F. Dalley Anne M.R. Agur(532,202_203)

5.Kenhub.com ,pictures fascia lata,inguinal ligament
6.Mootr clinically oriented anatomy FIGURE 2.14 . Formations of inguinal region, FIGURE 5.26 . Retro - inguinal space ; structure and contents of femoral sheath .
7.Gray's illustrations Figure femoral triangle and sheath