Observation on the Extrinsic Blood Vessels of the Meniscus Genu / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Fifty adult lower limbs were studied macromicroscopically to reveal the extrinsic blood vessels of the menisci of the knee joint. It was found that the menisci were supplied from 2 sources, the genicular branches (except the superior lateral genicular branch) of the popliteal artery, and the descending branch of the descending genicular artery. A pair of additional genicular branches with independent stems from the popliteal artery, named as the posterior medial and the posterior lateral genicular arteries by the authors, constantly supplied the posterior part of both the menisci. The arterial branches formed a circular anastomotic arch around the menisci with small branches springing from the arch and getting into the menisci. The arterial arch communicated with the femoral and the popliteal arteries and became an important stem of a reentry channol in cases of popliteal artery occlusion.