ABSTRACT
Introduction: Anatomical knowledge is very important for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of the patient.The popliteal region presents a wide range of vascular anomalies. The correct diagnosis of these anatomicalvariations plays a key role in success of diverse procedures performed by orthopaedicians, vascular surgeonsand radiologists. In this context, the aim of our study was to gain knowledge on the origin, level and mode oftermination, course and relations of popliteal artery with surrounding structures, mainly the muscles, in poplitealfossa. The results obtained were compared with previous studies.Materials and methods: The study was carried out in 50 lower limbs of 25 well-embalmed cadavers. There wasno evidence of previous knee surgeries in any of the limbs. The specimens were collected from the department ofAnatomy, KVG Medical College, Sullia.Results: The femoral artery continued as popliteal artery, which terminated at the lower border of popliteusmuscle. Trifurcation pattern was observed in one specimen. 10% of specimens had hypoplastic/aplasticposteriortibial artery, distally replaced by peroneal artery. Another 4% of specimens had smaller posterior tibialand larger peroneal artery. Length of tibio peroneal trunk from the lower border of popliteus muscle was shorterthan normal (2.5 cm) in one specimen and longer in another specimen. The observation on course and relationsshowed that the popliteal artery passed beneath a bony tunnel of fibula before terminating in one specimen andin another specimen, popliteal artery was superficial to popliteal vein in the middle of popliteal fossa. In othertwo specimens, it coursed more medially towards medial head of gastrocnemius and another specimen presentedwith popliteal artery crossed by muscle belly of plantaris.Conclusion: This study adds up to the knowledge on vascular variations in the popliteal region, the awareness ofwhich is important to vascular surgeons while performing arterial reconstructions in femoro distal bypass graftprocedures and also to orthopaedicians during surgical clubfoot release.