Descending Branch of Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery
Ramus descendens arteriae circumflexae lateralis femoris
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Lateral circumflex femoral artery.
Course: Descends anterior to the femur.
Branches: Contributes to genicular anastomoses.
Supplied Structures: Anterior thigh muscles and knee joint.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The descending branch arises as one of three terminal branches of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.
Course
The descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery descends on the anterior aspect of the vastus lateralis muscle, alongside the femoral nerve branch that supplies this muscle.
Branches
There are no named branches, however, the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery anastomosis with the superior lateral genicular artery, and thus contributes to formation of the genicular anastomosis.
Supplied Structures
The descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery contributes to both the arterial supply of the quadriceps muscles of the anterior thigh and to the genicular anastomosis of the knee joint.
