Consistent Sex-Specific Patterns in the Anatomy of the Femoral and Profunda Femoris Arteries: A Cadaveric Study

Background The variation of the femoral artery and profunda femoris artery (FA and PFA) anatomy is clinically significant with regard to FA access and surgery of the femoral region. Despite the variability of these vessels having been extensively reported, sex-biased anatomical differences are yet to be more thoroughly investigated. In this work, we attempted to examine sex-specific morphometry, origin, and branching patterns of the FA and PFA from a morphometric, origin-to-branch morphology/strand-to-cross-sectional perspective. Methods This cadaveric study analyzed 96 femoral regions obtained from 48 adult cadavers, including 24 male individuals and 24 female individuals. The FA's origin from the inguinal canal was measured bilaterally. The location of origin of the PFA was evaluated with regard to the adductor longus and sartorius muscles, and the terminal branches were recorded. Statistical analysis included independent-samples t-tests, nonparametric testing as indicated, and effect size calculations. Results The mean distance between the origin of the FA and inguinal canal was greater in the male cadavers than in female cadavers (2.63 ± 0.38 cm vs. 2.02 ± 0.44 cm; p