Popliteal vein
Citation, DOI & article data
Citation:
Oh G, Hacking C, El-Feky M, et al. Popliteal vein. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 09 Feb 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-45182
rID:
45182
Article created:
17 May 2016 by Geon Oh
Revisions:
7 times by 4 users - see full revision history
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The popliteal vein forms from the posterior and anterior tibial veins and ascends through the popliteal fossa to the opening in adductor magnus alongside the popliteal artery where it becomes the femoral vein.
Its relationship to the popliteal artery changes as the vein ascends, but it is always between the popliteal artery and tibial nerve. Distally it is medial to the artery, between the heads of gastrocnemius it is superficial (posterior) to it, and proximal to the knee joint it is posterolateral to the artery.
Its tributaries include:
- small saphenous vein in the lower aspect of the popliteal fossa
- veins corresponding to branches of the popliteal artery, namely the genicular arteries
- muscular veins, including a large branch from each head of gastrocnemius
Related pathology
References
- 1. Gray's anatomy. Elsevier. ISBN:0702052302. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Gray's Anatomy for Students: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access, 3e. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:0702051314. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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