Home Body Atlas Vessels Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery
Vessel Thigh

Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery

arteria circumflexa femoris lateralis

The lateral circumflex femoral artery provides the blood supply to the anterolateral thigh and greater trochanter. Its descending branch is the pedicle for the ALT (anterolateral thigh) free flap — the most versatile and widely used free flap in reconstructive surgery worldwide, providing large amounts of fasciocutaneous or perforator-based tissue for head-and-neck, extremity, and trunk reconstruction.

Region: Thigh
Anatomical Data

Origin, Insertion & Supply

OriginDeep femoral artery (profunda femoris)
Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The ALT flap based on perforators from the LCFA descending branch can provide up to 35 × 20 cm of skin, fascia, or muscle (with the vastus lateralis). Preoperative CT angiography or Doppler mapping identifies perforator location. The ALT is the first-choice flap at many centres for head and neck reconstruction after the DIEP in breast reconstruction.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

ALT Flap Harvest

Anterolateral thigh flap based on LCFA descending branch perforators providing versatile fasciocutaneous tissue for reconstruction with minimal donor site morbidity.

This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.

Accept All Accept Required Only