The popliteal artery is a deeply placed continuation of the femoral artery after
it passes through the adductor hiatus, or opening in the distal portion of the
adductor magnus muscle. It courses through the popliteal fossa and ends at
the lower border of the popliteus muscle, where it branches into the
anterior and posterior tibial arteries. The deepest structure in the fossa, the
popliteal artery runs in close proximity to the joint capsule of the knee as it
spans the intercondylar fossa. Five genicular branches of the popliteal
artery supply the capsule and ligaments of the knee joint. The genicular
arteries are the superior lateral, superior medial, middle, inferior
lateral, and inferior medial genicular arteries. They participate in the
formation of the periarticular genicular anastomosis, a network of vessels
surrounding the knee that provides collateral circulation capable of
maintaining blood supply to the leg during full knee flexion, which may kink
the popliteal artery. Structure
= Relations= Anteriorly: The popliteal surface of the
femur, the knee joint, and the popliteus muscle.
Posteriorly: The popliteal vein and the tibial nerve, fascia, and skin.
= Branches= The branches of the popliteal artery
are: anterior tibial artery
posterior tibial artery sural artery
medial superior genicular artery lateral superior genicular artery
middle genicular artery lateral inferior genicular artery
medial inferior genicular artery Muscular branches of the popliteal
artery supply the hamstring, gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris
muscles. The superior muscular branches of the popliteal artery have clinically
important anastomoses with the terminal part of the deep femoral and gluteal
arteries. = Tibial-fibular trunk=
The fibular artery typically arises from the posterior tibial artery. Therefore,
the posterior tibial artery proximal to the fibular artery origin is sometimes
called the tibial-peroneal trunk or tibial-fibular trunk and it could be
said that the popliteal artery bifurcates into the tibial-fibular trunk
and anterior tibial artery. Clinical significance
Popliteal pulse: Because the popliteal artery is deep, it may be difficult to
feel the popliteal pulse. Palpation of this pulse is commonly performed with
the person in the prone position with the knee flexed to relax the popliteal
fascia and hamstrings. The pulsations are best felt in the inferior part of
the fossa where the popliteal artery is related to the tibia. Weakening or loss
of the popliteal pulse is a sign of a femoral artery obstruction.
Popliteal aneurysm and hemorrhage: A popliteal aneurysm usually causes edema
and pain in the popliteal fossa. A popliteal aneurysm may be distinguished
from other masses by palpable pulsations and abnormal arterial sounds detectable
with a stethoscope. Because the artery lies deep to the tibial nerve, an
aneurysm may stretch the nerve or compress its blood supply. Pain from
such nerve compression is usually referred, in this case to the skin
overlying the medial aspect of the calf, ankle or foot. Because the artery is
closely applied to the popliteal surface of the femur and the joint capsule,
fractures of the distal femur or dislocations of the knee may rupture the
artery, resulting in hemorrhage. Furthermore, because of their proximity
and confinement within the fossa, an injury of the artery and vein may result
in an arteriovenous fistula. Failure to recognize these occurrences and to act
promptly may result in the loss of the leg and foot. If the femoral artery must
be ligated, blood can bypass the occlusion through the genicular
anastomosis and reach the popliteal artery distal to the ligation.
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome Additional images
See also Popliteal fossa
Anastamosis References
External links Anatomy figure: 12:04-10 at Human
Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Arteries of the lower
extremity shown in association with major landmarks."
Image at umich.edu - pulse