Middle genicular artery
Updates to Article Attributes
The middle genicular artery (MGA) is one of the arteries of the knee joint and is a major supplicant of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments.
Summary
- location: knee
- origin: popliteal artery
- supply: cruciate ligaments
Gross anatomy
The middle genicular artery originates from the anterior aspect of the popliteal artery approximately 3-5 cm above the knee joint line variably having a common origin with one of the other genicular arteries 1-3. It descends along the anterolateral aspect of the popliteal fossa, pierces the posterior knee capsule in the middle of the femoral condyles and is accompanied by two veins 1,2. Within the joint, it travels along the distal part of the posterior cruciate ligament to the anterior cruciate ligament. The length apparently ranges from 3-5 cm with about half of it being extraarticular 1,2.
Branches
The middle genicular artery gives small branches to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and their lining tissues 1.
Supply
The middle genicular artery participates in the supply of the following structures 1,2:
History and etymology
The intraarticular path of the middle genicular artery was described by Raffaele Scapinelli in 1968 2.
Clinical importance
The middle genicular artery can be injured iatrogenically during knee surgery such as cruciate ligament reconstruction, meniscectomy or knee arthroplasty 1,2.
-<strong>origin: </strong>popliteal artery</li>- +<strong>origin: </strong><a title="Popliteal artery" href="/articles/popliteal-artery">popliteal artery</a>
- +</li>
-</ul><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The middle genicular artery originates from the anterior aspect of the popliteal artery approximately 3-5 cm above the knee joint line variably having a common origin with one of the other genicular arteries <sup>1-3</sup>. It descends along the anterolateral aspect of the <a href="/articles/popliteal-fossa">popliteal fossa</a>, pierces the posterior <a href="/articles/knee-capsule">knee capsule</a> in the middle of the femoral condyles and is accompanied by two veins<sup> 1,2</sup>. Within the joint, it travels along the distal part of the posterior cruciate ligament to the anterior cruciate ligament. The length apparently ranges from 3-5 cm with about half of it being extraarticular <sup>1,2</sup>.</p><h5>Branches</h5><p>The middle genicular artery gives small branches to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and their lining tissues <sup>1</sup>.</p><h5>Supply</h5><p>The middle genicular artery participates in the supply of the following structures <sup>1,2</sup>:</p><ul>-<li><a title="Anterior cruciate ligament" href="/articles/anterior-cruciate-ligament">anterior cruciate ligament</a></li>-<li><a title="Posterior cruciate ligament" href="/articles/posterior-cruciate-ligament">posterior cruciate ligament</a></li>-<li><a title="Synovium" href="/articles/synovium">synovium</a></li>- +</ul><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The middle genicular artery originates from the anterior aspect of the popliteal artery approximately 3-5 cm above the knee joint line variably having a common origin with one of the other genicular arteries <sup>1-3</sup>. It descends along the anterolateral aspect of the <a href="/articles/popliteal-fossa">popliteal fossa</a>, pierces the posterior <a href="/articles/knee-capsule">knee capsule</a> in the middle of the femoral condyles and is accompanied by two veins<sup> 1,2</sup>. Within the joint, it travels along the distal part of the posterior cruciate ligament to the anterior cruciate ligament. The length ranges from 3-5 cm with about half of it being extraarticular <sup>1,2</sup>.</p><h5>Branches</h5><p>The middle genicular artery gives small branches to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and their lining tissues <sup>1</sup>.</p><h5>Supply</h5><p>The middle genicular artery participates in the supply of the following structures <sup>1,2</sup>:</p><ul>
- +<li><a href="/articles/anterior-cruciate-ligament">anterior cruciate ligament</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/posterior-cruciate-ligament">posterior cruciate ligament</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/synovium">synovium</a></li>
References changed:
- 1. Salaria H & Atkinson R. Anatomic Study of the Middle Genicular Artery. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2008;16(1):47-9. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/230949900801600112">doi:10.1177/230949900801600112</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18453659">Pubmed</a>
- 2. de Carvalho R, Ramos L, Novaretti J et al. Relationship Between the Middle Genicular Artery and the Posterior Structures of the Knee. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2016;4(12):232596711667357. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967116673579">doi:10.1177/2325967116673579</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28050573">Pubmed</a>
- 3. Shahid S, Cawley O, Saujani S, Saghir N. A Cadaveric Study of the Branching Pattern and Diameter of the Genicular Arteries: A Focus on the Middle Genicular Artery. J Knee Surg. 2015;28(05):417-24. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1549021">doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549021</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25892007">Pubmed</a>
- 1. Salaria H & Atkinson R. Anatomic Study of the Middle Genicular Artery. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2008;16(1):47-49. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/230949900801600112">doi:10.1177/230949900801600112</a>
- 2. de Carvalho R, Ramos L, Novaretti J et al. Relationship Between the Middle Genicular Artery and the Posterior Structures of the Knee: A Cadaveric Study. Orthop J Sports Med. 2016;4(12):2325967116673579. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967116673579">doi:10.1177/2325967116673579</a>
- 3. Shahid S, Saghir N, Cawley O, Saujani S. A Cadaveric Study of the Branching Pattern and Diameter of the Genicular Arteries: A Focus on the Middle Genicular Artery. J Knee Surg. 2015;28(5):417-24. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1549021">doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549021</a>
Tags changed:
- knee