The deep femoral artery (also known as the deep artery of the thigh) is the largest of the deep branches of the femoral artery. The deep femoral artery supplies blood to the deep structures of the thigh, including the femur.

It arises below the inguinal ligament, passes posteriorly and descends between the pectineus and adductor longus muscles. Further, the deep femoral artery penetrates the adductor magnus muscle and continues as the third perforating artery. 

On its course the deep femoral artery gives off several branches: 

• Lateral circumflex femoral artery
• Medial circumflex femoral artery
• Perforating arteries

The medial circumflex femoral artery (also known as medial femoral circumflex artery, internal circumflex artery) is a branch of the deep femoral artery, which arises in the femoral triangle posteromedially, then passes between the iliopsoas and pectineus muscles to the lesser trochanter, where it divides into two branches: the transverse and the ascending branch of the medial circumflex femoral artery. The medial circumflex femoral artery supplies the medial muscle group of thigh and the hip joint.

The lateral circumflex femoral artery (also known as lateral femoral circumflex artery, external circumflex artery) is a branch of the deep femoral artery, which begins in the femoral triangle and lateral to the deep femoral artery, then it runs posterior to the rectus femoris till the greater trochanter, where it divides into three branches: the ascending, transverse and descending branches. The lateral circumflex femoral artery supplies the anterior muscle group of the thigh, as well as the hip and knee joints. 

The perforating arteries are usually three in number and arise from the deep femoral artery. These arteries are so called because they perforate the adductor muscles to reach the back of the thigh. All perforating arteries together provide blood supply to the posterior muscle group of the thigh and partly to the medial muscle group of the thigh.