Corpus: Popliteal artery

The popliteal artery is the continuation of the femoral artery.

The popliteal artery runs from the adductor hiatus, through the popliteal fossa, to the lower edge of the popliteus muscle, where it divides into its two end branches, the anterior tibial artery and the posterior tibial artery. It is accompanied by the popliteal vein.

In addition to its two terminal branches, the popliteal artery gives off the following branches:

• Sural arteries
• Medial genicular artery
• Superior medial genicular artery
• Superior lateral genicular artery
• Inferior lateral genicular artery
• Inferior medial genicular artery

The popliteal artery supplies the knee joint and the integument of the knee region, as well as the lower leg muscles and parts of the thigh muscles via its numerous branches.

In clinical anatomy, the popliteal artery is divided into three segments:

• Supragenual popliteal segment (PI): Segment above the knee from the adductor hiatus to the upper edge of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle.
• Genual popliteal segment (PII): Segment in the depth of the popliteal fossa directly dorsal to the joint space between the origins of the superior and inferior popliteal arteries.
• Infragenual popliteal segment (PIII): Section from the end of PII caudally to the origin of the anterior tibial artery at the lower edge of the popliteus muscle.

In addition, the vascular section of the popliteal artery between the exit of the anterior tibial artery and the junction of the fibular artery is referred to as the tibiofibular trunk.

The popliteal pulse can be felt at the popliteal artery. However, as the artery is located deep in the popliteal fossa, it is not easy to find. It is most easily found in the lower part of the popliteal fossa when the knee is bent, where the artery can be pressed against the tibia.

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