QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
The artery of the ligamentum teres is a branch of the obturator artery, so it has some contribution to the blood supply of the femoral head. However, this artery is less likely to be damaged in this form of fracture compared to the medial femoral circumflex artery, making this option incorrect.
10007764
e
Obturator artery
QuestionChoice
The lateral femoral circumflex artery is less likely to become damaged in a neck of femur fracture and does not supply the femoral head.
10007761
b
Lateral femoral circumflex artery
QuestionChoice
The correct answer is the medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA). The artery of the ligamentum teres  does provide some blood supply to the femoral head, however it does not supply the majority like the MFCA. This artery is also less likely to be damaged in an intracapsular neck of femur fracture.
10007762
c
Artery of the ligamentum teres
QuestionChoice
The medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA) is the most common artery to be damaged in a displaced intracapsular neck of femur fracture. This main thing to note is that this is a 68 year-old post-menopausal woman, who is likely to have osteoporosis due to oestrogen deficiency. The MFCA, especially the ascending (retinacular) branches provide a large proportion of the blood supply to the femoral head. This means that the artery of the ligamentum teres which also supplies the femoral head is no longer able to provide a sufficient blood supply to sustain the metabolic demand of the femoral head, which consequently leads to avascular necrosis.
10007760
a
Medial femoral circumflex artery
QuestionChoice
The correct answer is the medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA). Whilst the MFCA is a branch of the profunda femoris artery, the profunda femoris itself is less likely to be damaged in this form of fracture, making this option incorrect.
10007763
d
Profunda femoris artery
Concept
Chapter
2693
3907
fractured neck of femur
Topic
145
Orthopaedics
14099
A 68-year-old woman presents to A&E following a fall onto her left hip. She reports pain around the hip and groin on the left-hand side. On examination her left leg is shortened, abducted and externally rotated and when palpating her greater trochanter area her pain is further exacerbated.

An X-ray is taken and a displaced intracapsular neck of femur fracture is seen.

Which of the following arteries is likely to be most disrupted in this form of fracture, resulting in avascular necrosis of the femoral head?
a