The popliteal artery is a major arterial vessel located in the lower leg. It arises from the posterior aspect of the femoral artery, which is a continuation of the external iliac artery. The popliteal artery then travels through the popliteal fossa, which is a depression located behind the knee joint. The popliteal artery gives rise to several important branches, which supply blood to various structures in the lower leg and foot.
One of the main branches of the popliteal artery is the posterior tibial artery. This artery travels down the posterior aspect of the tibia, or shin bone, and supplies blood to the muscles and skin of the lower leg and foot. The posterior tibial artery also gives rise to several smaller branches, including the medial and lateral plantar arteries, which supply blood to the plantar surface of the foot.
Another important branch of the popliteal artery is the peroneal artery. This artery travels along the lateral aspect of the tibia and supplies blood to the muscles and skin of the lower leg and foot. The peroneal artery also gives rise to several smaller branches, including the fibular artery, which supplies blood to the fibula bone and the muscles of the leg.
In addition to the posterior tibial and peroneal arteries, the popliteal artery also gives rise to several other smaller branches. These include the genicular arteries, which supply blood to the knee joint, and the tarsal arteries, which supply blood to the tarsal bones of the foot.
The popliteal artery is an important vessel in the lower leg, as it supplies blood to many of the structures in this region. Damage or blockage of the popliteal artery can lead to serious complications, including tissue death and limb loss. It is therefore important to maintain the health of the popliteal artery and to seek medical attention if any problems arise.
These arteries are a continuation of the femoral arteries, the large What are the popliteal artery branches? Anatomy Where are the popliteal arteries? Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. To appreciate how helpful ultrasound is in evaluating the lower extremities for abnormalities, it is important to be proficient in the basic anatomy of the lower extremity arteries. UCSF Department of Surgery. Tibial nerve damage Posterior dislocation of the knee joint or laceration to the popliteal fossa may damage the tibial nerve. Schumacher: General Anatomy And Musculoskeletal System THIEME Atlas Of Anatomy 2010 , p. The medial approach to the sural vessels to facilitate microanastomosis about the knee.
If the knees are slightly flexed — to about 45 degrees — the pulse will be easier to locate. Each popliteal artery is located behind your knee and runs behind your knee pit. SUNY Downstate Department of Surgery. Due to its deep anatomical location, it is not routinely examined on ultrasound past the CFA bifurcation. As the primary distributor of oxygenated blood to regions around the knee, the artery is not the same as the popliteal vein. There are many important neurovascular structures, however, which pass through the fossa. Cadaver studies of correlation between vessel size and anatomical territory of cutaneous supply.
Some popliteal artery diseases can lead to limb loss. If prompt action is not taken, it can result in the loss of the leg and the foot. Secondary prevention of arteriosclerosis in lower limb vascular amputees: a missed opportunity. This may produce a palpable pulsation, a thrill, or an abnormal arterial sound, a bruit. 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. Microvascular soft-tissue transplantation for reconstruction of acute open tibial fractures: timing of coverage and long-term functional results. Zwiebel and Pellerito 2005, 254—259.
You or a healthcare provider can feel your popliteal Function What is the purpose of the popliteal arteries? Injury to this nerve results in paralysis of the leg flexors and the intrinsic muscles of the foot. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. Below your knee joint, the arteries divide into the anterior tibial artery and the tibioperoneal or tibiofibular trunk. The midpopliteal exposure is also described in the prone position. Popliteal artery The femoral artery, enters the popliteal fossa by passing under the semimembranosus muscle. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Popliteal Artery. Diagnosis and treatment of venous ulcers.
This artery terminates at the two anterior and posterior tibial arteries. Nerves The popliteal fossa is 2. J Orthop Surg Hong Kong. . The SFA travels from the CFA bifurcation down the medial thigh to the knee. An in-depth and all-encompassing understanding of the vascular anatomy that could specifically assist performing of these procedures is paramount.
Popliteal Artery Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment. Lateral approach to the popliteal artery. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Conditions like aneurysms, blood clots and atherosclerosis can affect the artery, causing leg pain intermittent claudication and increasing the risk of limb loss. Because of this, popliteal abscesses usually spread superiorly and inferiorly from the popliteal fossa. Diagnosis and monitoring of abdominal aortic aneurysm: current status and future prospects.
Popliteal Artery: Anatomy, Function, and Significance
The profunda femoris artery PFA The PFA, formerly known as the deep femoral artery, dives deep off of the CFA bifurcation and branches into collaterals in the thigh. The peroneal artery, the PTA, and the ATA are commonly referred to as the three-vessel runoff. Selection of the recipient vessel in the free flap around the knee: the superior medial genicular vessels and the descending genicular vessels. Popliteal vein The Short saphenous vein The short saphenous vein travels superiorly in the posterior aspect of the leg from the lateral part of the dorsal venous arch, before entering the popliteal fossa. The above-knee popliteal artery starts at the distal adductor canal where the thigh becomes the knee , and the below-knee popliteal artery extends to the bifurcations of the calf arteries at the distal popliteal fossa.
The popliteal vessels have many different options to serve as a recipient site for microvascular free tissue transfer. When this pulse is absent or weak, it may be a sign of obstruction of the femoral artery. These neovessels have now become the target of interventions in a growing field called muscoskeletal embolotherapy. The pulse is best felt in the inferior part of the fossa but may be difficult to find because of the deep location of the popliteal artery. If there is a concern from this comparison, a CT scan is ordered for a more efficient and detailed assessment of the runoff vessels. Weakening or loss of the popliteal pulse is a sign of a femoral artery obstruction.
The capsule of the The popliteal fascia, which is continuous with the fascia lata superiorly and the fascia crusis inferiorly, forms the roof of the fossa. Treatments for popliteal artery diseases vary depending on the condition. This includes the sural arteries, which deliver blood to the hamstring, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of the calves, as well as the plantaris muscle, a tendon that runs alongside the Achilles. Overview The popliteal artery supply blood to the lower parts of your legs, feet and ankles. Â Vasc Endovascular Surg. The superficial popliteal lymph nodes lie within the subcutaneous tissue and receive lymph from the lymphatic vessels accompanying the short saphenous vein.
The popliteal artery is palpable i. Popliteal artery diseases can restrict this blood flow, leading to problems like intermittent claudication. Treasure Island FL : StatPearls Publishing. Measuring and understanding the ankle brachial index ABI. The sural artery and vein as recipient vessels in free flap reconstruction about the knee. Salvage of the massively traumatized lower extremity. Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome.
