The Clinical Anatomy of the Vascular System | Ch 112
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
6-12-2025
Editor
Stephen J. Bordes, Jr. et al
Abstract
In 1919, Senior detailed the embryological origin of the lower limb (Senior 1919). During the 9 mm stage of embryonic development, a primitive iliac artery arises from the umbilical artery and courses caudally to supply the lower limb. This artery bifurcates into a dorsal internal iliac axis, which forms the axial artery, and a ventral external iliac artery, which becomes the femoral artery at the 12 mm stage (Rosset et al. 1995). At the 12 mm stage, the walls of the femoral artery consist only of a thin wall of endothelium, resembling the associated femoral vein (Senior 1919). During the 14 mm stage, the axial artery gives off three segments: the more proximal ischiatic artery, the intermediate deep popliteal artery, and the distalmost interosseous artery. At this stage, the deep popliteal artery lies between the popliteus muscle and the posterior margin of the tibia. Just proximal to the popliteus muscle, the deep popliteal artery gives off two branches: the superficial posterior tibial artery and the superficial posterior fibular artery (Senior 1919). These two branches will later fuse to form the superficial popliteal artery. At the 22 mm stage, the ischiatic artery involutes, and the only remaining supply to the leg is the femoral artery. Distal to the popliteus muscle, a medial communicating branch arises and connects the superficial popliteal artery to the most distal extremity of the deep popliteal artery. Subsequently, this communicating branch will become the proximal segment of the anterior tibial artery. In contrast, the portion of the superficial popliteal artery above the communicating branch will become the tibiofibular trunk (Rosset et al. 1995). Finally, at the 24.5 mm stage, the distal part of the deep popliteal artery, deep to the popliteus muscle, involutes. The popliteal artery is then made up of a small, proximal segment of the deep and superficial popliteal artery (Senior 1919).
First Page
673
Last Page
681
Chapter Title
Chapter 112 - Popliteal Artery
Publisher
Springer Nature
ISBN
[9783031783258, 9783031783265]
Rights
© 2025 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Recommended Citation
Jenkins, Skyler and Bordes, Stephen J., "The Clinical Anatomy of the Vascular System | Ch 112" (2025). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 4264.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/4264
10.1007/978-3-031-78326-5_112