perforating arteries, three arteries that branch from the deep artery of the thigh as it descends anterior to the adductor brevis muscle. All three penetrate through the adductor magnus near its attachment to the linea aspera to enter and supply the posterior compartment of thigh. The ascending and descending branches of the vessels interconnect to form a longitudinal channel that participates in forming an anastomotic network of vessels around the hip and inferiorly anastomoses with branches of the popliteal artery behind the knee.
