Arteria poplitea

Arteria Poplitea is a major blood vessel located in the lower extremity. It is a continuation of the femoral artery and serves as the main supply of blood to the lower leg and foot.

Anatomy

The Arteria Poplitea begins at the opening in the adductor magnus, an adductor muscle in the thigh, and ends at the lower border of the popliteus muscle, where it branches into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries. It runs obliquely downward and laterally in the popliteal fossa, a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint.

Branches

The Arteria Poplitea gives off several branches, including the genicular arteries, which supply the knee joint, and the sural arteries, which supply the calf muscles. The terminal branches of the Arteria Poplitea are the anterior and posterior tibial arteries, which supply the front and back of the lower leg and foot, respectively.

Clinical Significance

The Arteria Poplitea is clinically significant because it is often involved in peripheral artery disease, a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. It can also be affected by an aneurysm, a bulge in the wall of the artery, which can lead to life-threatening complications if it ruptures.

See Also

• Femoral artery
• Tibial arteries
• Peripheral artery disease
• Aneurysm