Femoral canal ring, through which bowel can sometimes enter, causing a femoral hernia. Though femoral hernias are rare, their passage through the inflexible femoral ring puts them at particular risk of strangulation, giving them surgical priority. The position of the femoral canal medially to the femoral vein is of physiologic importance. The space of the canal allows for the expansion of the femoral vein when venous return from the lower limbs is increased or when increased intra-abdominal pressure (valsalva maneuver) causes a temporary stasis in the venous flow. Femoral canal In human anatomy of the leg, the femoral sheath has three compartments.
Superficial circumflex iliac artery Superficial circumflex iliac artery The superficial iliac circumflex artery (or superficial circumflex iliac), the smallest of the cutaneous branches of the external iliac artery, arises close to the superficial epigastric artery, and, piercing the fascia lata, runs lateralward, parallel with the inguinal ligament, as far as the crest of the ilium. It divides into branches which supply the integument of the groin, the superficial fascia, and the superficial subinguinal lymph glands, anastomosing with the deep iliac circumflex, the superior gluteal and lateral femoral circumflex arteries. In 45% to 50% of persons the superficial circumflex iliac artery and superficial inferior epigastric