Anatomy
Course
An extension of the superficial femoral artery once it passes through the adductor canal and enters the popliteal fossa behind the knee. The popliteal artery is the deepest of the structures in the popliteal fossa and descends from the upper medial side. On leaving the popliteal fossa it bifurcates into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
Supply
Supplies the knee joint and some of the surrounding muscles via its branches. It gives off a number of branches such as the genicular arteries and the sural artery.
Clinical
The popliteal artery is one of the pulse points of the lower limb. As it is the deepest structure in the popliteal fossa, the popliteal artery pulse is difficult to find, but usually can be found on deep palpation just medial to the midline of the fossa.
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