Popliteal Artery Branches

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Questions and Answers

Where does the posterior tibial artery terminate?

At the medial malleolus

Deep to the flexor retinaculum (correct)

At the lateral malleolus

At the lower border of popliteus

What is the location of the posterior tibial artery in the leg?

Anterior to the tibia

Superficial to the gastrocnemius

Deep to the tendinous arch of the soleus (correct)

Lateral to the fibula

What is the largest branch of the posterior tibial artery?

Lateral plantar artery

Nutrient artery to tibia

Medial plantar artery

Peroneal artery (correct)

What is the origin of the posterior tibial artery?

At the lower border of popliteus Signup and view all the answers

What type of branch does the posterior tibial artery give off to supply the muscles of the back of the leg?

Muscular branch Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of the posterior tibial artery in the leg?

Downwards and slightly medially Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the posterior tibial artery and the gastrocnemius?

The posterior tibial artery is deep to the gastrocnemius Signup and view all the answers

What are the terminal branches of the posterior tibial artery?

Medial and lateral plantar arteries Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the upper muscular branches of the popliteal artery?

Supply the adductor magnus and hamstrings Signup and view all the answers

How many genicular branches arise from the popliteal artery?

5 Signup and view all the answers

What does the middle genicular artery supply?

Cruciate ligaments and synovial membrane of the knee joint Signup and view all the answers

Which artery is the smaller terminal branch of the popliteal artery?

Anterior tibial artery Signup and view all the answers

Where does the popliteal vein begin?

At the lower border of the popliteus Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the anastomotic branches of the anterior tibial artery?

Contribute to the blood supply around the knee and ankle joints Signup and view all the answers

Which muscles are primarily supplied by the lower muscular branches of the popliteal artery?

Gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris Signup and view all the answers

What significant vein does the popliteal vein receive?

Small saphenous vein Signup and view all the answers

Where does the popliteal artery begin?

At the opening in the adductor magnus Signup and view all the answers

Which structures are contained within the popliteal fossa?

Saphenous vein and common peroneal nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the termination point of the popliteal artery?

At the lower border of the popliteus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a contents of the popliteal fossa?

Femoral artery Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve branches arise from the popliteal nerve?

Common peroneal nerve Signup and view all the answers

What forms the floor of the popliteal fossa?

Popliteal surface of the femur and the capsule of the knee joint Signup and view all the answers

Which artery branches from the popliteal artery?

Anterior tibial artery Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the popliteal artery is true?

It divides into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Popliteal Artery and Vein

The popliteal artery has several large muscular branches that supply the adductor magnus and hamstrings, and terminate by anastomosing with the 4th perforating artery.
The lower muscular or sural branches supply the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris.
Cutaneous branches arise either directly or indirectly from its muscular branches.
The popliteal vein begins at the lower border of the popliteus by the union of veins and receives the small saphenous vein and corresponding branches of the popliteal artery.

Genicular Branches

Genicular branches are 5 in number: 2 superior, 2 inferior, and 1 middle.
The middle genicular branch supplies the cruciate ligaments and the synovial membrane of the knee joint.
The medial and lateral superior genicular arteries pass deep to the hamstrings.
The medial and lateral inferior genicular arteries pass deep to the collateral ligaments of the knee.

Anterior Tibial Artery

The anterior tibial artery is the main artery of the anterior compartment of the leg.
It is the smaller terminal branch of the popliteal artery and begins on the back of the leg at the lower border of the popliteus, opposite the tibial tuberosity.
The blood supply of the anterior compartment of the leg is reinforced by the perforating branch of the peroneal artery.

Anterior Tibial Artery Branches

Muscular branches supply adjacent muscles.
Anastomotic branches are given to the knee and ankle.
The anterior and posterior tibial recurrent branches take part in the anastomoses round the knee joint.
Anterior medial malleolar and anterior lateral malleolar branches take part in anastomoses around the ankle joint.
Lateral malleolar network lies just below the lateral malleolus.

Dorsalis Pedis Artery

The dorsalis pedis artery is the chief palpable artery of the dorsum of the foot.
It is a continuation of the anterior tibial artery and begins in the front of the ankle between the two malleoli.
The artery passes forwards along the medial side of the dorsum of the foot to reach the proximal end of the 1st intermetatarsal space.

Dorsalis Pedis Artery Branches

The lateral tarsal artery supplies extensor digitorum brevis and neighbouring tarsal joints and ends in the lateral malleolar network.
The medial tarsal branches (2-3 small twigs) join the medial malleolar network.
The arcuate artery arises opposite the medial cuneiform and ends by anastomosing with the lateral tarsal and lateral plantar arteries.
It gives off the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th dorsal metatarsal arteries.
The 1st dorsal metatarsal artery arises just before the dorsalis pedis artery dips into the sole, gives a branch to the medial side of the big toe, and divides into dorsal digital branches for adjacent sides of the 1st and 2nd toes.

Posterior Tibial Artery

The posterior tibial artery begins at the lower border of the popliteus, between the tibia and fibula, deep to the gastrocnemius.
It enters the back of the leg by passing deep to the tendinous arch of the soleus.
In the leg, it runs downwards and slightly medially to reach the posteromedial side of the ankle in midway between the medial malleolus and medial tubercle of the calcaneum.

Posterior Tibial Artery Branches

The peroneal artery is the largest branch.
Several muscular branches supply muscles of the back of the leg.
A nutrient artery supplies the tibia.
Anastomotic branches are given.
Terminal branches include the medial and lateral plantar arteries.

Peroneal Artery

The peroneal artery is the largest branch of the posterior tibial artery.
It supplies the posterior and lateral compartment of the leg.

Popliteal Fossa

The popliteal fossa is a shallow diamond-shaped depression lying behind the knee joint at the lower part of the femur and upper part of the tibia.
Boundaries include: superolaterally - biceps femoris, superomedially - semitendinosus, semimembranosus, gracilis, sartorius, and adductor magnus, inferolaterally - lateral head of the gastrocnemius and plantaris.

Contents of Popliteal Fossa

The popliteal artery and its branches.
The popliteal vein and its tributaries.
The tibial nerve and its branches.
The common peroneal nerve and its branches.
The posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh.
The genicular branch of the obturator nerve.
The popliteal lymph nodes.
Fat surrounds and supports all the above structures.

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Description

This quiz covers the branches of the popliteal artery, including muscular, cutaneous, and genicular branches.