Fig 2.

The relation of the major neurovascular structures to the 3 standard portals is shown. The femoral artery and nerve lie well medial to the anterior portal. The sciatic nerve lies posterior to the posterolateral portal. Small branches of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve lie close to the anterior portal. Injury to these is avoided by use of proper technique in portal placement. The anterolateral portal is established first because it lies most centrally in the safe zone for arthroscopy. © J. W. Thomas Byrd.