• As it continues down,
it runs across the popliteal fossa,
posterior to the knee joint.

• The popliteal artery passes obliquely
through the popliteal fossa
n then travels between
the gastrocnemius and popliteal muscles
of the posterior compartment of the leg.

• The popliteal artery is the continuation of the
femoral artery
that begins at the level of the adductor hiatus
in the adductor magnus muscle
of the thigh.

• It then continues into the deep part
of the posterior compartment of the leg,
passing under the tendinous arch between
the two heads of the gastrocnemius
and immediately bifurcates into
-the anterior
-and posterior tibial arteries.

• The popliteal artery is the deepest vascular structure of the popliteal fossa,
running closely to the knee’s capsule.

• 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:

• originates - from the popliteal artery
near the inferior border of the popliteus muscle.
• In the posterior compartment of the leg, the
anterior tibial artery runs anteriorly
between the heads of the tibialis posterior muscle.
• It then passes through the oval aperture in the
proximal part of the interosseous membrane
and runs medial to the fibular neck, emerging
on the anterior compartment of the leg.
• From here, it descends vertically down the
anterior aspect of the interosseous membrane
towards the distal tibia.
• Upon reaching the ankle joint, it terminates at
the anterior surface of the tibia midway
between the medial and lateral malleoli, and is
continued by the dorsalis pedis artery.

• Arises near the origin of the posterior recurrent
tibial artery and shortly after, it pierces the
tibialis anterior muscle.
• It gives off several branches anterior and lateral
to the knee joint which anastomose with the
genicular branches of the popliteal and
circumflex fibular arteries, forming the patellar
arterial network.

Arise as multiple branches that supply

• the muscles of the anterior compartment.
• Some of these branches pierce the deep fascia
  and supply the skin of the anterior leg,
• others pass through the interosseous membrane
  and anastomose with branches of the posterior
  tibial and fibular (peroneal) arteries.

• Arises approximately 5 cm proximal to the ankle
joint and courses posterior to the tendons of
the extensor hallucis longus
and tibialis anterior muscle.
• Upon reaching the medial side of the ankle, it
gives off branches to supply the joint, which
anastomose with branches of the posterior
tibial and medial plantar arteries.

• The posterior tibial artery arises between the
tibia and fibula at the level of the lower margin
of the popliteus muscle.
• It takes an inferomedial course, descending
through the flexor compartment of the leg.
• The artery enters the foot by passing inferiorly
to the medial malleolus.
• Midway between the malleolus and the tubercle
of calcaneus, it ends by splitting into the lateral
and medial plantar arteries.

arises immediately after the
posterior tibial artery origin.
It surrounds the neck of fibula and
anastomoses with the inferior medial and
lateral genicular and
anterior tibial recurrent arteries.

arises distally to the circumflex fibular artery.
It enters the tibia below the soleal line, being the

stem serially from the
trunk of the artery and supplies

arise between the soleus and
flexor digitorum longus muscle.
There are usually 5 of them, each dividing
into anterior and posterior divisions that
together supply:

• The popliteal artery gives off 5 genicular
branches that contribute to the periarticular
genicular anastamosis that supply
the knee joint capsule and ligaments.
• The superior lateral and medial genicular
arteries arise from the popliteal artery and
curve around their respective femoral condyles,
supplying

• the bone of the femoral condyles,
• the adjacent synovium of the knee joint
• and the superior part of the patella.
  
  

• The single and smaller middle genicular artery
branches off the popliteal artery behind the
distal femoral intercondylar region where it
runs anteriorly and penetrates the posterior
part of the knee joint capsule.
• It supplies the

• posterior cruciate ligament,
• the posterior part of the anterior cruciate ligament
• and the posterior aspects of the menisci.
  
  

• The inferior lateral and medial genicular
arteries branch off the popliteal artery and run
around the tibial condyles, deep to the
collateral ligaments of the knee.
• These arteries supply the

• adjacent areas including the joint capsule
  of the knee,
• the collateral ligaments and tendons,
• the anterior part of the anterior cruciate ligament
• and the inferior part of the patella.