Anatomical localization of the common femoral artery relative to palpable bony landmarks in the pediatric population

Malik Kısmet; Merve Dursun Savran; Seda Kaynak Şahap; Mahmut Kalem

Anatomical localization of the common femoral artery relative to palpable bony landmarks in the pediatric population

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical location of the common femoral artery (CFA) relative to palpable bony landmarks in pediatric patients using computed tomography angiography (CTA), to determine age-related changes in its position across pediatric age groups, and to assess potential differences compared with the anatomical location described in the adult population. Methods: Lower extremity CTA images of pediatric patients aged ≤16 years were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with trauma, tumors, skeletal deformities, or inadequate image quality were excluded. A total of 55 patients were included in the final analysis. Three-dimensional volume-rendered reconstructions were used to evaluate the morphometric relationship between the CFA and pelvic bony landmarks. Distances between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), symphysis pubis (SP), greater trochanter (GT), and CFA were measured on the anteroposterior plane. Patients were divided into three age groups (0-6, 7-12, and 13-16 years). The relative position of the CFA along the ASIS-SP and GT-SP reference lines was calculated as percentages. Results: A total of 55 pediatric CTA examinations were analyzed (mean age 10.56±4.58 years). The cohort included 25 females (45.45%) and 30 males (54.55%). Significant differences were observed in the relative position of the CFA along the ASIS-SP line among age groups (p<0.001). The CFA was located more laterally in the 0-6 year group (53.57% of the ASIS-SP distance), closer to the midpoint in the 7-12 year group (49.65%), and more medially in the 13-16 year group (47.71%). A similar pattern was observed along the GT-SP line, where the artery was positioned laterally in younger children (59.38%) and progressively approached the midline or medial side with increasing age (50.87% and 49.23%, respectively). Conclusion: The anatomical location of the CFA relative to bony landmarks changes with age in pediatric patients. The artery tends to be located more laterally in younger children and shifts relatively medially with increasing age. These findings suggest that adult anatomical landmarks may not always be reliable for femoral vascular access in pediatric patients and highlight the importance of age-specific anatomical considerations.

Keywords

References

Standring S, ed. Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed. Elsevier; 2020.
Fung KFK, Parra DA, Gasparetto A, et al. Arterial access for pediatric angiography and endovascular interventions: techniques, site selection, and complications. Radiographics. 2026;46(1):e250034. doi:10.1148/rg.250034
Taran SJ, Taran R, Malipatil NB. Pediatric osteosarcoma: an updated review. Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol. 2017;38(1):33-43. doi:10.4103/0971-5851.203513
Elzohairy MM, Elhefnawy MM, Khairy HM. Revision of failed open reduction of developmental dysplasia of the hip. Clin Orthop Surg. 2020; 12(4):542-548. doi:10.4055/cios19151
Taib CN, Nasir AA, Ahmad NA, Moklas MA. Variations of the femoral artery position in relation to the femoral vein and mid-inguinal point: a cadaveric study. Malays J Med Health Sci. 2023;19(s12):1-6. doi:10.47836/mjmhs.19.s12.1
Ahn HY, Lee HJ, Lee HJ, Yang JH, Yi JS, Lee IW. Assessment of the optimal site of femoral artery puncture and angiographic anatomical study of the common femoral artery. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2014;56(2): 91-97. doi:10.3340/jkns.2014.56.2.91
Brahmandam A, Huttler J, Bellamkonda K, et al. The radiographic relationship of the femoral head, inguinal ligament, and common femoral artery bifurcation for optimal vascular access. JVS Vasc Sci. 2024;5:100196. doi:10.1016/j.jvssci.2024.100196
Sailer A, Fitzgerald K, Chick JFB, Shin DS, Monroe EJ. Common femoral arterial access and arteriography in infants: principles, pearls, and pitfalls. Clin Imaging. 2024;105:110020. doi:10.1016/j.clinimag.2023.110020

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Orthopaedics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Malik Kısmet ^*
0009-0009-7861-3409
Türkiye

Merve Dursun Savran
0000-0002-9473-7948
Türkiye

Seda Kaynak Şahap
0000-0003-1283-9543
Türkiye

Mahmut Kalem
0000-0002-8598-0938
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 16, 2026

Submission Date

March 26, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 4

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA44MU42ZA

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kısmet, M., Dursun Savran, M., Kaynak Şahap, S., & Kalem, M. (2026). Anatomical localization of the common femoral artery relative to palpable bony landmarks in the pediatric population. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 8(4), 620-624. https://izlik.org/JA44MU42ZA

AMA

1.Kısmet M, Dursun Savran M, Kaynak Şahap S, Kalem M. Anatomical localization of the common femoral artery relative to palpable bony landmarks in the pediatric population. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8(4):620-624. https://izlik.org/JA44MU42ZA

Chicago

Kısmet, Malik, Merve Dursun Savran, Seda Kaynak Şahap, and Mahmut Kalem. 2026. “Anatomical Localization of the Common Femoral Artery Relative to Palpable Bony Landmarks in the Pediatric Population”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 (4): 620-24. https://izlik.org/JA44MU42ZA.

EndNote

Kısmet M, Dursun Savran M, Kaynak Şahap S, Kalem M (July 1, 2026) Anatomical localization of the common femoral artery relative to palpable bony landmarks in the pediatric population. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 4 620–624.

IEEE

[1]M. Kısmet, M. Dursun Savran, S. Kaynak Şahap, and M. Kalem, “Anatomical localization of the common femoral artery relative to palpable bony landmarks in the pediatric population”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 620–624, July 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA44MU42ZA

ISNAD

Kısmet, Malik - Dursun Savran, Merve - Kaynak Şahap, Seda - Kalem, Mahmut. “Anatomical Localization of the Common Femoral Artery Relative to Palpable Bony Landmarks in the Pediatric Population”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8/4 (July 1, 2026): 620-624. https://izlik.org/JA44MU42ZA.

JAMA

1.Kısmet M, Dursun Savran M, Kaynak Şahap S, Kalem M. Anatomical localization of the common femoral artery relative to palpable bony landmarks in the pediatric population. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8:620–624.

MLA

Kısmet, Malik, et al. “Anatomical Localization of the Common Femoral Artery Relative to Palpable Bony Landmarks in the Pediatric Population”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 8, no. 4, July 2026, pp. 620-4, https://izlik.org/JA44MU42ZA.

Vancouver

1.Malik Kısmet, Merve Dursun Savran, Seda Kaynak Şahap, Mahmut Kalem. Anatomical localization of the common femoral artery relative to palpable bony landmarks in the pediatric population. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 1;8(4):620-4. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA44MU42ZA