Anomalous arrangement of structures in the popliteal fossa and its clinical significance

ABSTRACT

The anatomical knowledge of arrangement of the structures in popliteal fossa is important for any surgical and angiographic procedures. In the popliteal fossa, the usual arrangement of structures from superficial to deep is the tibial nerve, popliteal vein and the popliteal artery, respectively. Considering the fact that there is a paucity of literature in the description of unusual arrangement of these structures in the popliteal fossa, the present study assumes much significance both academically and clinically. We dissected both sides of 50 lower limbs [n=50] of embalmed cadavers in the department of anatomy, to study the relationship of the tibial nerve, popliteal vein and the popliteal artery Only in once case, we detected the tibial nerve to be most superficial as usual but the popliteal artery was found to lie deep to the tibial nerve, with the popliteal vein lying still deeper to it. Thus, the normal arrangement of the tibial nerve, popliteal vein and the popliteal artery being arranged from superficial to deep, was not observed Topographical anatomical knowledge of the arrangement of the structures in the popliteal fossa are important to check inadvertent injuries during any surgery. Abnormal position of the blood vessels in the popliteal region may also lead to faulty administration of dyes in angiographic procedures and erroneous interpretation of angiograms