Infrapopliteal arteries
Arteriae infrapopliteae
- Synonym: Arteries below the knee
Definition
The infrapopliteal arteries, also known as the "arteries below the knee", include the anterior tibial artery (ATA), posterior tibial artery (PTA), and fibular (peroneal) artery (PA). These arteries originate from the popliteal artery, which bifurcates into the ATA and the tibioperoneal trunk. The tibioperoneal trunk subsequently divides into the PTA and PA.[1-2]
The anterior tibial artery arises first from the popliteal artery and travels down the anterior compartment of the leg, supplying the anterior muscles and the dorsum of the foot. The posterior tibial artery continues down the posterior compartment, supplying the posterior muscles and the plantar surface of the foot. The peroneal artery runs along the lateral compartment of the leg, supplying the lateral muscles and contributing to the blood supply of the foot.[1-2]
Anatomic variations in the branching patterns of these arteries are relatively common. The most frequent variation is the high origin of the ATA, followed by trifurcation of the popliteal artery into the ATA, PTA, and PA without a true tibioperoneal trunk.[1]
References
1.Popliteal Artery Branching Patterns -- An Angiographic Study.Day CP, Orme R.Clinical Radiology. 2006;61(8):696-9. doi:10.1016/j.crad.2006.03.014.
2.The Evidence-Based Surgical Anatomy of the Popliteal Artery and the Variations in Its Branching Patterns.Tomaszewski KA, Popieluszko P, Graves MJ, et al.Journal of Vascular Surgery. 2017;65(2):521-529.e6. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2016.01.043.
3.Awareness of Anatomical Variations for Infrapopliteral Intervention.Kawarada O, Yokoi Y, Honda Y, Fitzgerald PJ.Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions : Official Journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions. 2010;76(6):888-94. doi:10.1002/ccd.22673.
