Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Practice Test

Injuries to which anatomical structure may result in catastrophic injury after a displaced femoral fracture?

1. Adductor magnus

2. Femoral nerve

3. Pubic symphysis

4. Femoral artery

The correct answer is: Femoral artery

A displaced femoral fracture can lead to significant complications, including damage to vital anatomical structures in the vicinity. The femoral artery is particularly critical because it supplies blood to the lower limb. In the event of a fracture, if the bone is displaced, it can disrupt the pathway of the artery or even cause a laceration. This disruption can result in severe hemorrhage and compromise the blood supply to the leg, potentially leading to ischemia, loss of function, or even amputation if not addressed promptly. Understanding the risk associated with the femoral artery in this context is essential. While other structures mentioned, such as the femoral nerve and muscles like the adductor magnus, are also important, they do not carry the same immediate life-threatening implications that can arise from injury to the femoral artery. Additionally, while the pubic symphysis is an important joint, its injury would not typically result in the same catastrophic outcomes associated with a disrupted blood supply following a femoral fracture. Thus, recognizing the femoral artery's role in vascular integrity makes it the anatomical structure most critically at risk in this scenario.