Variations in the Anatomy and Branching Origin of the Human Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery Evaluated by Multi-Detector CT Angiography

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 11, November 2026 | pp. 235–243

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/001027

Research Article

Title: Variations in the Anatomy and Branching Origin of the Human Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery Evaluated by Multi-Detector CT Angiography

Names of Authors: M. G. Silva¹, K. L. Hansson²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
² Department of Radiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Abstract:
The lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) is a major vascular branch supplying the hip joint and anterolateral thigh muscles. Precise mapping of its branching origin and spatial trajectory is critical for minimizing hemorrhagic complications during anterolateral thigh flap harvesting, total hip arthroplasties, and femoral arterial catheterizations. This retrospective study used multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography to examine the structural origin and branching patterns of the LCFA. Lower limb angiograms from 310 adult patients (165 males, 145 females) were reviewed. The standard origin of the LCFA arising directly from the deep femoral artery was identified in 74.2% of cases. Variations were recorded in 25.8% of the subjects. The most prevalent variation was a direct origin from the common femoral artery proximal to its bifurcation (16.5%), followed by an independent origin from the superficial femoral artery (6.1%). In 3.2% of cases, the ascending, transverse, and descending branches of the LCFA arose separately without a common trunk. The mean trunk length of the LCFA was 14.8 ± 3.2 mm, with a mean proximal diameter of 4.2 ± 0.6 mm. No statistically significant variations were found between genders or left and right limbs. These findings confirm that structural deviations in LCFA geometry are common, emphasizing the value of utilizing preoperative MDCT angiographic maps to limit complications during reconstructive surgeries.

Keywords: Lateral circumflex femoral artery, Deep femoral artery, MDCT angiography, Vascular variation, Reconstructive flap.

Manuscript Timeline: Received: August 30, 2026; Revised: October 14, 2026; Accepted: November 03, 2026; Published: November 24, 2026.

Citation: Silva MG, Hansson KL. Variations in the Anatomy and Branching Origin of the Human Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery Evaluated by Multi-Detector CT Angiography. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology. 2026; 15(11): 235–243. doi:10.46882/2026/IJAP/001027

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