Surface Anatomy of the Femoral Triangle and Its Surgical Relevance in Patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

The femoral triangle is a clinically important region of the anterior thigh containing the femoral artery, vein, nerve, and lymph nodes. Accurate surface anatomical knowledge of this region is fundamental for procedures such as femoral vessel catheterisation, lymph node biopsy, and inguinal hernia repair. Variations in the boundaries and contents of the femoral triangle have been reported in literature but remain underexplored in West African populations. This study aims to evaluate the surface anatomy of the femoral triangle and document clinically relevant morphological variations among adult patients and cadavers at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, South West Nigeria. Using cadaveric dissection and clinical surface landmark identification in consenting patients, the study will record the dimensions of the triangle, note variations in the femoral sheath, and document the branching patterns of the femoral nerve. Findings will be correlated with anthropometric variables including body mass index and height. The study is expected to produce anatomical reference data applicable to surgical training and procedural guidance at this busy urban tertiary institution. With a high volume of vascular and orthopaedic surgeries performed at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, findings will directly support safer procedural outcomes.

Keywords: femoral triangle, surface anatomy, femoral nerve, cadaveric dissection, surgical anatomy