PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate some anatomic variations of popliteal artery and its surrounding structures that may be important especially for popliteal artery entrapment (PAE) syndrome. METHODS: A cadaveric study in 46 lower limbs was performed to improve the understanding of anatomy of the popliteal artery and its relations with surrounding structures. RESULTS: The popliteal artery was lateral to the popliteal vein in four specimens (8.7%) and deep to popliteal vein in three specimens (6.5%). An aberrant accessory head of gastrocnemius was present in three specimens (6.5%). The popliteal artery and vein were tethered at the adductor magnus hiatus very tightly in one specimen (2.2%). An aberrant medial arterial course around normal medial head of gastrocnemius muscle was seen in one specimen (2.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Various anomalous anatomic relationships between muscle and arteries in the popliteal fossa results in arterial compression. We believe that a review of the anatomic variations of the popliteal artery and its surrounding structures will be beneficial for the surgical approaches in PAE.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate some anatomic variations of popliteal artery and its surrounding structures that may be important especially for popliteal artery entrapment (PAE) syndrome. METHODS: A cadaveric study in 46 lower limbs was performed to improve the understanding of anatomy of the popliteal artery and its relations with surrounding structures. RESULTS: The popliteal artery was lateral to the popliteal vein in four specimens (8.7%) and deep to popliteal vein in three specimens (6.5%). An aberrant accessory head of gastrocnemius was present in three specimens (6.5%). The popliteal artery and vein were tethered at the adductor magnus hiatus very tightly in one specimen (2.2%). An aberrant medial arterial course around normal medial head of gastrocnemius muscle was seen in one specimen (2.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Various anomalous anatomic relationships between muscle and arteries in the popliteal fossa results in arterial compression. We believe that a review of the anatomic variations of the popliteal artery and its surrounding structures will be beneficial for the surgical approaches in PAE.
Authors: Abdul Majeed Dar; Abdul Gani Ahanger; Rauf Ahmad Wani; Mohammed Akbar Bhat; Ghulam Nabi Lone; Shabir Hussain Shah Journal: J Trauma Date: 2003-08
Authors: T Iwai; S Sato; T Yamada; Y Muraoka; K Sakurazawa; H Kinoshita; Y Inoue; M Endo; T Yoshida; S Suzuki Journal: Br J Surg Date: 1987-11 Impact factor: 6.939