Anat Cell Biol.  2024 Dec;57(4):612-615. 10.5115/acb.24.086.

A rare variation in popliteal artery branching: anterior tibial artery and fibular artery from the common tibiofibular trunk

• Sachsenmeier C
• Chapel D
• Kulesza R

• KMID: 2562510
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.24.086

Abstract

The popliteal artery is a continuation of the femoral artery and is the main arterial supply to the lower leg and foot. Variation in the branching of the popliteal artery typically occurs proximal or distal to where the vessel crosses the popliteus muscle. In the case of a routine dissection of a 92-year-old female cadaver, a variation of the popliteal artery was found where the branches are a posterior tibial artery and a common tibiofibular trunk. It is important to recognize the vascular variations that exist in the popliteal fossa to prevent any unforeseen complications during surgeries or procedures to the knee or lower leg.

Keyword

Anatomic variation; Popliteal artery,; Tibial arteries; Orthopedics

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The figure contains a summary of Type I variations of the PA that can be found. (A) The typical presentation, PA with ATA and PTA branches with FA branching from PTA. (B) A trifurcation of the PA, all branches originating from the PA. (C) PA with PTA and CTT, with ATA and FA branching from CTT. PA, popliteal artery; ATA, anterior tibial artery; PTA, posterior tibial artery; FA, fibular artery; CTT, common tibiofibular trunk.

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  Fig. 2 The image above contains the posterior view of the right leg. The reflected gastrocnemius is pictured. PA is located between the femoral condyles and splits into the PTA and the CTT below the popliteus muscle. Branching from the CTT is the FA and ATA. PA, popliteal artery; PTA, posterior tibial artery; CTT, common tibiofibular trunk; FA, fibular artery; ATA, anterior tibial artery; br., branch; m, muscle; S, superior; L, lateral.

Reference

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