ABSTRACT
Background: Profunda femoris artery (PFA) is the largest and deep branch from the femoral artery. It is the chiefblood supply to the extensor (anterior), flexor (posterior) and adductor (medial) compartments of thigh. It is alsocalled as Deep femoral artery. It is useful for many invasive and non invasive procedures like Doppler,ultrasonography, digital subtraction angiography arteriography and magnetic resonance imaging etc.Materials and methods: A total 10 embalmed formalin fixed cadavers (totally 20 lower limbs) allotted to theundergraduates of 2017-18 batch in the department of Anatomy, Tirunelveli Medical College, Tirumelveli istaken in the present study.Results: In all the 20 lower limb specimens PFA was originated from the femoral artery except one. In onespecimen PFA originated directly from external iliac artery as the bifurcation of external iliac artery. Relation ofPFA with femoral artery was postero lateral in 65% and lateral in 35%. Distance between the point of origin of PFAand mid-inguinal point was between 3.47cm to 4.55cm in 90 %.Conclusion: This study will be very helpful to the radiologists & surgeons to understand possible variationsbefore planning different diagnostic and therapeutic interventions on the femoral artery and its branches