STUDY OF MEDIAL CIRCUMFLEX FEMORAL ARTERY AND ITS CLINICAL AND SURGICAL IMPORTANCE

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic ischemic necrosis of head of femur needs the anatomy of medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA) which is the main source for the blood supply of head of femur. As it gives the muscular perforators its knowledge is important in the posteromedial cutaneous flap (gracilis flap). In the femoral artery obstruction, MCFA takes bypass route for the blood supply of lower limb as it forms anastomosis with branches of other arteries. Objectives: The study describes the origin and course of the medial circumflex artery. Methods: The present study was conducted on 50 lower limbs from embalmed human cadavers from the Department of Anatomy, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru. Femoral triangle was dissected and the medial circumflex artery and branches were traced. Results: The study describes that in 8-10% cases MCFA showed variations whereas in 90-92% cases the MCFA has taken normal origin and course