Variations in the origin of profunda femoris artery and its branches - A cadaveric study

Introduction: Profunda femoris is the largest branch of femoral artery. It gives branches including lateral circumflex artery, medial circum¬flex artery and three perforator branches and subsequently continues as fourth perforating artery.
Objective: To study the location of origin of profunda femoris artery and correlate it clinically.
Materials and Methods: The present study was done on 40 embalmed limbs (20 cadavers – 12 males and 8 females) for identifications of the origins of profunda femoris artery.
Results: In the present study posterolateral and posterior side of origin was established as most common site of origin of profunda femoris artery. High level of origin of profunda femoris artery was found to be quite recurrently. Double lateral circumflex artery was also discovered in one lower limb with high origin of profunda femoris artery. Such variation is very rare.
Conclusion: Current study will help the clinicians to avoid iatrogenic complications during surgery and also help them in various clinical procedures for interventional radiology in this region.