The smallest branch of the femoral artery is the transverse branch lateral circumflex femoral artery. This branch moves laterally, passing over the vastus intermedius. Following this location it passes through the vastus lateralis, circling around the femur and anastomosing the thigh in the back. It joins the medial femoral circumflex artery, perforating arteries, inferior gluteal artery, and profunda femoris artery in the rear of the thigh. The supply of blood to the tensor fasciae latae flap is mainly from the transverse branch lateral circumflex femoral artery. The transverse branch lateral circumflex femoral artery is responsible for supplying the vastus lateralis, as well as the joint of the hip. The femoral artery directly produces the transverse branch lateral circumflex femoral artery in around 14 percent of people. The transverse branch lateral circumflex femoral artery is also known to have a descending branch that delivers blood to the knee. The transverse branch lateral circumflex femoral artery is part of the cardiovascular system.