Identify the femoral nerve, femoral artery and femoral vein in the femoral
triangle. NOTE: Superiorly the artery and vein are contained within the femoral
sheath (formed by an extension of the transveralis and iliacus fasciae).
The femoral nerve is outside the sheath.
The inferior extent of the femoral sheath
can be demonstrated by inserting the blunt end of your forceps into the medial
compartment (the femoral canal) beneath the inguinal ligament as demonstrated in this
video.
Clean the muscles of the anterior thigh as shown in this
dissection. These include the sartorius m.,
the quadriceps femoris m. (rectus femoris, vastus medialis, intermedius, lateralis),
the pectineus m., and the strong iliopsoas m. HINT: An easy way to find the tendon of the iliopsoas is to palpate the lesser trochanter
of the femur to which the muscle attaches.
Other muscles in the area (tensor fascia lata m. and the adductor longus m.) are not innervated
by the femoral nerve so they are not included in the anterior compartment of the thigh.
Follow the
femoral artery, vein and saphenous nerve into the adductor canal (of Hunter) beneath the
sartorius m.
