Popliteal artery

Arteria poplitea

CardiovascularBlood vesselsLegLeft and right

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What it is
Continues the femoral artery from the adductor hiatus through the diamond-shaped popliteal fossa behind the knee, lying deepest of the neurovascular structures, and divides at the lower border of popliteus into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
Function
Supplies the knee joint (genicular arteries) and the calf muscles, and carries all blood to the leg and foot.
Size
~6–7 mm diameter; ~15–20 cm long.
Clinical note
The popliteal pulse is hard to feel because the artery is deep; popliteal aneurysm is the commonest peripheral aneurysm, and knee dislocation can tear the artery.

Nearby cardiovascular structures Anterior tibial artery, Deep femoral artery (profunda femoris), Dorsalis pedis artery, Femoral artery, Femoral vein, Great saphenous vein, Plantar arteries, Popliteal vein, Posterior tibial artery, Small saphenous vein