- Discussion: popliteal artery is the continuation of superficial femoral artery at
hiatus of the Adductor Magnus muscle;
artery is anchored proximally by tendinous insertion of Adductor Magnus
upon the medial femoral epicondyle;
it runs posterior to the distal femur, behind knee joint;
popliteal artery lies behind posterior horn of the lateral meniscus;
only thin layer of fat separates popliteal artery from thin posterior capsule
behind the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus;
distally the femoral artery is fixed by tendon of soleus as it descends from
its insertion on the medial aspect of tibial plateau;
popliteal artery normally branches into anterior tibial artery tibioperoneal
trunk at distal border of popliteus muscle;

- Damage from Knee Dislocation:
- see management:
- anterior dislocation:
- hyperextension causes popliteal artery to be stretched;
- pt typically suffers intimal separation over long segment;
- posterior dislocation:
- less common than anterior dislocation;
- less common, due to even greater forces needed to overcome strength
of extensor muscles of leg;
- popliteal artery usually suffers direct contusion or intimal fracture;