Which muscle bounds the femoral artery laterally?

• A. Rectus femoris
• B. Sartorius muscle
• C. Adductor longus
• D. Pectineus

Answer: (B)

The sartorius muscle bounds the femoral artery laterally. This long, strap-like muscle runs diagonally across the thigh from the anterior superior iliac spine to the medial aspect of the knee. Its position is important in clinical anatomy, as it serves as a landmark for various structures in the thigh region, including the femoral artery.

Understanding the anatomy of the thigh, the sartorius muscle plays a critical role in the anatomical space where the femoral artery is located. When considering the orientation of the femoral triangle, which is formed by the inguinal ligament, the sartorius muscle, and the adductor longus, the sartorius effectively creates a lateral border for the femoral artery as it courses through this area.

In contrast, the rectus femoris is part of the quadriceps group located more anteriorly and does not bound the artery laterally. The adductor longus is located medial to the femoral artery, while the pectineus is situated posteriorly and somewhat superiorly, neither of which serves to laterally bound the artery. This anatomical understanding is fundamental for embalmers and mortuary science practitioners when dealing with vascular access and understanding the underlying structures involved in procedures like embalming.