The femoral artery is located at the midinguinal point (midpoint between ASIS and pubic symphysis). Just medial to the femoral artery in the femoral triangle lies the femoral vein. The structure lying lateral to the femoral artery within the femoral sheath is:

• A Femoral nerve
• B Femoral canal
• C Femoral branch of genitofemoral nerve
• D Nothing — the femoral artery occupies the lateral compartment of the sheath ✓

Explanation

The femoral sheath has three compartments: lateral = femoral artery, intermediate = femoral vein, medial = femoral canal (containing lymphatics and Cloquet's node). The femoral nerve lies lateral to the femoral sheath but outside it (not enclosed), separated from the artery by a septum of fascia. The femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve passes superficially through the femoral sheath but is not within its compartments. This NAVEL (Nerve-Artery-Vein-Empty space-Lymphatics from lateral to medial) mnemonic is standard for femoral triangle anatomy.

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

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.