The study of the origin and branching pattern of the popliteal artery pertaining to popliteal fossa and its clinical significance

INTRODUCTION: “Anatomical language is the fundamental language of the medicine”. The basis of anatomy is remarkable for its longivity and consistency. This field has evolved markedly since its inception. The popliteal artery is the larger peripheral artery situated in the lower limb. It is the only way of arterial communication between the thigh and the leg region. It is the most common artery to be involved in the peripheral vascular diseases, especially in diabetics and smokers. So the anatomical study of the popliteal artery will definitively influence the surgical approach and radiological interventional procedures. AIM OF THE STUDY: The popliteal artery is the most common artery to be involved in peripheral arterial aneurysm. 70-80% of peripheral arterial aneurysm occurs in the popliteal artery. Over the last decade, the number of endovascular procedures performed on the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries have significantly increased. The study of popliteal artery and its branches will be beneficial for the surgical approaches. It also used as suitable arterial graft. The following parameters were used in the present study: 1. Origin of the popliteal artery: a. mode of origin, b. level of origin. 2. Length of the popliteal artery, 3.Diameter of the popliteal artery, 4. Branches of the popliteal artery, 5. Termination of the popliteal artery, 6. Relations of the popliteal artery to the adjacent neurovascular structures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MATERIALS: 30 lower limb specimens obtained from 9 male cadavers and 6 female cadavers from The Govt. Stanley Medical College, Department of Anatomy, Chennai-01. 10 lower limb specimens from-5 full term unclaimed foetal cadavers (3 male foetal cadavers and 2 female foetal cadavers)were obtained from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government R.S.R.M. Hospital, Chennai. 10 Computerised Tomographic lower limb angiogram from patients who underwent angiographic procedures in the Department of Radiology, Stanley Medical College, Chennai. METHODOLOGY: a. Dissection – In adult and foetal cadavers. b. Radiological study - In five patients who underwent lower limb angiography. OBSERVATION: The origin, length, diameter, branching pattern, termination and relations of the popliteal artery were studied by A.Dissection method: In adult and foetal cadavers. B.Radiological study: From lower limb Computerised Tomographic angiograms. The observations were summarized in accordance with the parameters taken for the study. CONCLUSION: The present study of popliteal artery - its origin, length, diameter, branching pattern, relation and termination were analyzed by several researchers in the past and present century. The methods of study were routine dissection (cadaveric study) and radiological study. The popliteal artery was studied in 30 adult lower limb specimens, 10 foetal specimens and in 10 Computerised Tomographic angiograms.The observatory findings in the present study were more or less coincide with that of the observations of researchers in the past.