The femoral sheath is an anatomical structure that houses the femoral artery and vein. The spelling of this word may seem confusing, but it follows the rules of pronunciation in English. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /ˈfɛmərəl ʃiθ/. The initial "fe" is pronounced as "fem," and the "or" is pronounced as "er." The "a" in "sheath" is pronounced as a short "e" sound. By following the rules of English pronunciation, the spelling of "femoral sheath" becomes clear and easy to remember.
The femoral sheath is a tubular, hollow structure that serves as a protective covering for the femoral artery, femoral vein, and femoral nerve. Located in the upper thigh region, it is a cylindrical connective tissue envelope that surrounds these vital structures as they pass through the femoral triangle – a triangular space in the groin area.
The femoral sheath is composed of two layers – an outer layer called the femoral fascia and an inner layer comprised of the transversalis fascia. The femoral sheath extends from the base of the femoral artery and continues downwards alongside the femoral vein and femoral nerve, eventually ending roughly at the point where the artery divides into smaller branches.
The femoral sheath acts as a protective barrier, preventing damage to the underlying structures and providing structural support. It also plays a role in facilitating smooth movement of the femoral vessels and nerve, allowing them to glide without friction during leg movement.
The femoral sheath is essential in various medical procedures such as catheterization or angiography, as it provides a pathway for the introduction of medical devices or the injection of contrast agents. Understanding the anatomy and function of the femoral sheath is of utmost importance in these procedures to ensure the safety and success of the intervention.
Crural or infundibuliform sheath, a fascial reflexion extending down 1 1/2 inches below Poupart's ligament, formed by the fascia transversalis anteriorly and the fascia iliaca posteriorly; two septa divide the sheath into three compartments, the outer of which contains the femoral artery and a branch of the genitocrural nerve, the middle the femoral vein, and the inner is the femoral canal.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "femoral sheath" is derived from two different sources: "femoral" and "sheath".
- "Femoral" comes from the Latin word "femorālis", which pertains to the thigh or the femur bone. It is derived from the Latin word "femur", meaning "thigh".
- "Sheath" originates from the Old English word "sceath" or "sceeth", which means a covering, case, or vessel. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*skaithiz".
Combining these two components, "femoral sheath" refers to a covering or a vessel related to the thigh area, specifically, the sheath that surrounds the femoral artery and vein in the upper leg.