The popliteal artery is one of the major arteries of the leg. It is a continuation of the femoral artery, travels across the popliteal fossa, and finally bifurcates into the anterior and posterior tibial ends. Across it journey it gives off numerous branches that supply several structures such as the knee joint and its components, together with major muscles of the leg.
The popliteal artery passes through the popliteal fossa and ends at the lower border of the popliteus muscle, where it branches into its two terminal branches; the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
Key facts about the popliteal artery
Source
Femoral artery
Branches
Anterior tibial artery
Posterior tibial artery
Sural artery
Superior lateral genicular artery
Superior medial genicular artery
Middle genicular artery
Inferior lateral genicular artery
Inferior medial genicular artery
Supplies
Knee joint, leg muscles
Branches
The popliteal artery is the major contributor to the blood supply of the knee joint. Despite its short course, the popliteal artery has several branches:
Genicular branches/arteries
Superior lateral genicular artery
Arteria superior lateralis genus
Synonyms: Proximal fibular genicular artery, Arteria genus proximalis fibularis, show more...
The popliteal artery gives off five genicular branches that contribute to the periarticular genicular anastamosis that supply the knee joint capsule and ligaments. The five branches are:
- Superior lateral genicular artery
- Superior medial genicular artery
- Middle genicular artery
- Inferior lateral genicular artery
- Inferior medial genicular artery