Variations in the Branching Pattern of Popliteal Artery and It’s Clinical Implications : a Cadaveric Study

Background: Due to the increasing number of surgical techniques used nowadays on the knee joint, the importance of the knowledge of the branching pattern of the vessels neighboring the joint becomes very significant. Anomalies of vascular patterns near the knee joint particularly the popliteal vessels, are therefore noteworthy in understanding the atypical clinical findings encountered while dealing with knee joint procedures. Popliteal artery, a continuation of femoral artery at the level of adductor hiatus, normally divides into anterior and posterior tibial arteries at the level of lower border of popliteus muscle. Aim: This study attempts to analyze the level of division and as well as the branching pattern of the popliteal artery. Methodology: A study on forty lower limbs of twenty embalmed human cadavers (twelve male and eight female cadavers/ twenty four male and sixteen female limbs) was carried out to find out the variations in the branching pattern of popliteal artery. Results: We observed the high division of the popliteal artery proximal to the popliteus muscle along with the variations in the branches of the artery in two of the limbs (5%). The photographs of the variations were taken for proper documentation and ready reference. There were no other variations found in these specimens. Conclusion: Variations in the branching pattern of the popliteal artery may increase the risk of complications during surgeries of the knee joint. The awareness of these variations is important during radiological examinations as they may affect the therapeutic approach by the surgeons and the interventionists.