The femoral artery can be accessed for cardiac catheterization just below the inguinal ligament. What is its position in the femoral triangle relative to the femoral vein and femoral nerve?

• A Lateral to femoral nerve, medial to femoral vein
• B Medial to femoral nerve, lateral to femoral vein — mnemonic NAVY from lateral to medial ✓
• C Most medial structure in the femoral triangle
• D Deep to femoral vein with nerve most lateral — NAV from medial to lateral

Explanation

In the femoral triangle beneath the inguinal ligament, from lateral to medial the order is: femoral Nerve, femoral Artery, femoral Vein, femoral canal/lymphatics — remembered as NAVY (Nerve, Artery, Vein, Y-fronts/lymphatics). The femoral artery lies at the midpoint of the inguinal ligament (midinguinal point), which is the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic symphysis. This differs from the mid-inguinal point used to locate the deep inguinal ring (midpoint between ASIS and pubic tubercle).

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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