The femoral artery becomes the popliteal artery as it passes through which aperture?

• A Adductor (Hunter's) canal — the opening in the lower end of adductor magnus (adductor hiatus) ✓
• B Femoral ring at the medial aspect of the femoral sheath
• C Hiatus in the adductor longus at its attachment to the femur
• D Gap between the semimembranosus and the medial head of gastrocnemius

Explanation

The femoral artery descends through the femoral triangle and then through the adductor canal (Hunter's canal) — a fascial tunnel in the medial thigh bounded by vastus medialis, adductor longus, and sartorius. The femoral artery exits the canal through the adductor hiatus — an aperture (gap) in the lower portion of the adductor magnus muscle at the junction of the adductor and hamstring portions. It then becomes the popliteal artery as it enters the popliteal fossa. The femoral vein and saphenous nerve also pass through the adductor canal; the saphenous nerve exits the canal before the artery.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.