Lateral Femoral Circumflex Artery, Posterior View

Description

Centered on the posterior hip and proximal thigh, the lateral circumflex femoral artery (branch of the profunda femoris artery) is traced as it sweeps laterally around the femur, then divides into ascending and transverse branches deep to the proximal musculature. Posteriorly, its relationship to the profunda femoris and the perforating arteries is apparent as these vessels course posterior to the femoral shaft and between the adductor magnus and the hamstring group. Gluteus maximus overlies the field superiorly, while the long head of biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and the adductor compartment form the medial and lateral boundaries around the deep vascular plane. Posterior orientation matters because the lateral circumflex femoral artery is often discussed in anterior terms, yet its deep branches contribute to anastomoses around the greater trochanter and proximal femur that are encountered when elevating gluteal and vastus lateralis flaps. A clear posterior map helps when teaching or planning approaches that split the interval between hamstrings and adductors, where perforators from profunda femoris can be mistaken for branches of the circumflex system. Bleeding control in posterior thigh trauma also depends on recognizing how profunda femoris branches retract into the adductor magnus and along the linea aspera. Use this plate in gross anatomy labs to clarify the profunda femoris branching pattern, in surgical education for posterolateral hip approaches and flap design (anterolateral thigh and vastus lateralis based work), or in publications discussing proximal femoral fracture fixation where circumflex and perforator injury risks are compared. It also supports interventional and trauma teaching on selective ligation or embolization targets in deep thigh hemorrhage. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.