Popliteal Artery

From the opening in the insertion of adductor magnus to the lower border of popliteus, where it terminates by dividing into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.

Th.e artery descends with an outward inclination to the space between the condyles of the femur, and then continues vertically downwards. It is in contact in front with the popliteal surface of the femur, posterior ligament of knee-joint, posterior surface of popliteus, and is covered by outer border of semimembranosus, and adjacent borders of heads of gastrocnemius. On its outer side above lies the internal popliteal nerve, which crosses its middle and lies on its inner side below.

The Popliteal Vein lies behind the artery below, then crosses its middle, lying between it and the internal popliteal nerve, and passes upwards on its outer side.

Branches

Muscular to the adjacent parts.

Articular to the knee-joint (five in number).

Posterior Tibial Artery

The larger of the two terminal branches of the popliteal artery commences at the lower border of popliteus and terminates at the lower border of the internal annular ligament midway between the tip of the internal malleolus and the os calcis. It ends by dividing into the internal and external plantar arteries. The artery lies between the deep and superficial groups of muscles on the back of the leg, and is in contact in front from above downwards with tibialis posticus, flexor longus digitorum, posterior surface of tibia, posterior ligament of ankle-joint. It is covered by, successively, gastrocnemius, soleus, skin and fascia, internal annular ligament, origin of abductor hallucis.

The internal popliteal nerve lies above on the inner side of the artery, and crosses it about an inch and a half below its origin, and is continued down its outer side.

The artery is accompanied by venae comites, one on each side.

Beneath the internal annular ligament the tendons of tibialis posticus and flexor longus digitorum lie in the front of the artery and that of flexor longus hallucis behind it.

Branches

1. Muscular to soleus and the deep muscles.

2. Cutaneous to skin of back of leg.

3. Internal Malleolar to the inner surface of the internal malleolus, which anastomoses with a similar branch of the anterior tibial artery.

4. Peroneal, the largest branch of the posterior tibial artery, arises about an inch below the lower border of popliteus, and, curving outwards, supplies the peroneal muscles.

Internal Plantar Artery

The smaller of the two terminal branches of the posterior tibial artery passes forwards along the inner side of the foot between abductor hallucis and flexor brevis digitorum to the head of the first metatarsal bone, where it unites with a branch of the dorsalis pedis artery, the termination of the anterior tibial artery.