Anomalies of the popliteal artery and Its main branches in Thais.

ABSTRACT

The pattern of origin, course, branching and termination of the popliteal artery of 440 lower extremities of Thai cadavers was recorded with right-side supply being 224 and left-side 216. Various types of anomaly were found. In one lower extremity, the popliteal artery arose as a direct continuation of the sciatic artery instead of the femoral artery as normal. The femoral artery in this was very small. In the popliteal fossa, 2lower extremities showed the popliteal artery passing anterior to the popliteus muscle and 6 lower extremities showed the anterior tibial artery passing anterior to the popliteus muscle. In 33 lower extremities (7.5%), the popliteal arteries did not terminate at the lower border of the popliteus muscle. We found 3 levels of termination on the posterior surface of the popliteus muscle (10 lower extremities), proximal to the upper border of the popliteus muscle (10 lower extremities) and distal to the lower border of the popliteus muscle (13 lower extremities). Abnormal patterns of branching of the main branches of the popliteal artery were found in 67 of the 440 lower extremities i.e., 15% and they were divided into 11 types. Each type of variation can be described by its development.