Popliteal Artery Diameter and Terminal Branching Patterns: Anatomical Variations with Clinical Relevance

Background: Popliteal artery is located behind the knee joint, and it is common artery for vascular injury during surgical procedure around knee joint. It divides into anterior tibial artery (ATA) and a trunk known as tibioperoneal trunk (TPT). The trunk then divides into posterior tibial artery (PTA) and peroneal artery (PRA). Material and methods: Thirty-six cadavers (72 lower limbs) embalmed with 10% formalin. Result: The mean diameter of popliteal artery was 6.5 mm. The variation in terminal branching pattern was Type I-A (normal branching pattern) in 91.6%; Type I-B (trifurcation of PA) in 2.7%; Type III-A (aplasia of PTA with large PRA) in 5.5%. Conclusion: The present study of diameter and terminal branches variation of popliteal artery will be helpful for orthopaedic surgeons, interventional radiologists and surgeons as it can provide a proper guideline to locate the artery and ligating it and its branches during various surgical procedures around knee joint.