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Lateral circumflex femoral veins

The lateral circumflex femoral veins (LCFV) are paired venae comitantes of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, usually draining into the profunda femoris vein (deep femoral vein). They accompany the branches of the artery — ascending, transverse, and descending — and provide venous return from the anterior and lateral compartments of the thigh, hip joint, and adjacent muscles.

They form important anastomoses with the superior gluteal, inferior gluteal, and genicular venous systems, creating connections between the pelvic venous plexus and deep venous circulation of the lower limb.

Clinically, these veins are significant during orthopedic surgery (hip, femur, and thigh procedures), reconstructive flap harvesting (anterolateral thigh flap), venous thrombosis evaluation, and pelvic trauma.

Synonyms

  • Venae circumflexae femoris laterales

  • Lateral femoral circumflex venous tributaries

Function

  • Drains venous blood from the anterior and lateral thigh muscles (including vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and tensor fasciae latae)

  • Provides venous return from the hip joint capsule

  • Contributes to collateral circulation between femoral, profunda femoris, and pelvic veins

  • Important surgical landmark in vascularized flap reconstructions

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • LCFVs appear as linear hypointense flow voids accompanying the artery

  • Surrounded by hyperintense fat, aiding identification

T2-weighted images:

  • Flowing blood: signal void

  • Thrombosed vein: hyperintense intraluminal signal, sometimes heterogeneous

STIR:

  • Fat suppression highlights venous course against thigh musculature

  • Perivenous edema from thrombophlebitis or trauma appears bright

T1 Fat-Suppressed Post-Gadolinium:

  • Normal veins: homogeneous bright enhancement

  • Pathology: filling defects in thrombosis, wall enhancement in inflammation

  • Outlines venous plexus connections near hip and thigh

MRV (Magnetic Resonance Venography):

  • Normal signal: lumen opacifies as bright hyperintense channels

  • Thrombosis: non-enhancing hypointense filling defect

  • Excellent for mapping venous tributaries, profunda femoris connections, and flap donor planning

CT Appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Veins poorly visualized without contrast

  • Occasionally seen as tubular densities alongside artery

CT Post-Contrast:

  • LCFVs enhance clearly, following the lateral circumflex femoral artery branches

  • Shows size, course, and anastomoses with profunda femoris vein

CTV (CT Venography):

  • Normal signal: veins appear as bright hyperdense tubular structures

  • Thrombosis: seen as intraluminal filling defect

  • 3D reconstructions useful in preoperative mapping for anterolateral thigh flaps

  • Identifies venous anomalies, varicosities, or compressions

MRI image

Lateral circumflex femoral veins axial ct image MRI axial anatomy image-img-00000-00000

CT images

Lateral circumflex femoral veins axial ct image 0

CT images

Lateral circumflex femoral veins axial ct image 1