Variations and anomalies of the popliteal and tibial arteries.

A review of the anatomic characteristics of the popliteal artery and its tibial branches was performed in 147 patients. The anterior tibial artery arose 6 to 8 cm below the knee joint in 91 percent of the limbs. The posterior tibioperoneal trunk was 2 to 5 cm in length in 87 percent of the patients. In 5 patients (3 percent), the posterior tibial artery originated directly from the popliteal artery proximal to the anterior tibial origin. It was located either at the knee joint or within 5 cm of it. In 75 percent, the anomalies were bilateral.