Supragenicular part of popliteal artery
Parts supragenicularis arteriae poplitea
- Synonym: Supragenicular popliteal artery
Definition
The supragenicular part of the popliteal artery (P1) refers to the segment of the popliteal artery located above the knee joint from the exit from Hunter’s canal to the patella level.
In the supragenicular region, the popliteal artery gives rise to several important branches, including the superior medial genicular artery (SMGA) and the superior lateral genicular artery (SLGA). These branches are responsible for supplying blood to the knee joint and surrounding structures. The SMGA typically has a diameter of approximately 1.6 mm and can be the first or second branch of the popliteal artery, while the SLGA has a similar diameter and branching pattern.
The popliteal artery is anatomically classified into three levels:
P1, the supragenicular popliteal artery (from the exit from Hunter’s canal to the patella level)
P2, the retrogenicular popliteal artery (from the upper edge of the patella to the joint line)
P3, the subgenicular popliteal artery (from the joint line to the origin of the anterior tibial artery (ATA))
References
1.A Cadaveric Study of the Branching Pattern and Diameter of the Genicular Arteries: A Focus on the Middle Genicular Artery.Shahid S, Saghir N, Cawley O, Saujani S.The Journal of Knee Surgery. 2015;28(5):417-24. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549021.
2.Anatomic Variations of Popliteal Artery That May Be a Reason for Entrapment.Aktan Ikiz ZA, Ucerler H, Ozgur Z.Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA. 2009;31(9):695-700. doi:10.1007/s00276-009-0508-9.
3.Branching Patterns of the Popliteal Artery and Its Clinical Importance.Ozgur Z, Ucerler H, Aktan Ikiz ZA.Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA. 2009;31(5):357-62. doi:10.1007/s00276-008-0454-y.
4. Vascular SurgeryA Clinical Guide to Decision-makingBook • 202
