Abstract：Objective To explore the feasibility and significance of the three-stage nomenclature in the naming of the main branches of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA). Methods The LCFA and its branches were dissected from the embalmed lower limbs specimens of 37 adult cadavers (69 sides) to observe the origin, number, diameter, length, and distribution of the main branches of the LCFA. The three-level naming method was used to name the main branches and analyze the relationship among the main branches. Results Among the 69 sides, LCFA originated from profunda femorisartery in 64 sides (92.8%) and femoral artery in 5 sides (7.2%). Among the branches, 65 were ascending branches that ran obliquely upwards with 65 sides, the appearance rate of 94.2%(65/69), and the outer diameter at the beginning of (1.17 ± 0.42) mm from the origin to the muscle. The length was (3.21 ± 0.91) cm. A total of 65 horizontal branches ran almost horizontally with 65 sides, the appearance rate of 94.2%(65/69), and the outer diameter at the beginning of (1.00 ± 0.51) mm. The muscle length was (2.9 ± 1.1) cm. A total of 78 oblique branches ran obliquely downward with 66 sides, the occurrence rate of 95.7%(66/69), and the outer diameter at the beginning of (0.94 ± 0.48) mm. The length into the muscle was (4.6 ± 2.4) cm with 12 sides of the biaxial oblique branches on 69 sides. A total of 72 descending branches were nearly vertical with 69 sides, the appearance rate of 100.0%, the outer diameter at the beginning of (1.40 ± 0.68) mm, and the length from the launch position to the muscle entry of (11.1 ± 4.6) cm. A total of 69 sides of the middle and double descending branches had 4 sides. Among the 69 sides, 44(63.8%), 17(24.6%), and 8(11.6%) sides were named on the basis of the first-grade, the second-grade, and the third-grade naming methods, respectively. Conclusions The location and morphology of the main branches of the LCFA vary greatly. For the first time, the three-level method is used to name the main branches accurately. This method is highly feasible and has a high reference value for the anatomy of the blood supply of the anterolateral thigh flap.
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2022, Vol. 27 
