Variations in the branching pattern of the popliteal artery in the north Karnataka region: A cadaveric study

INTRODUCTION: The clinically most important artery of the lower extremities is the popliteal artery. The normal branching pattern of the popliteal artery ranges between 92% and 96%. The branching pattern of the popliteal artery and its variations plays an important role for surgeons, radiologists, and anatomists during vascular grafting, surgical repair, embolectomy, knee replacements, diagnostic angiography, transluminal stent implementation, and transluminal angioplasty. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the variations in the branching pattern of the popliteal artery in the north Karnataka region and discuss its clinical application. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present observational study was conducted on the formalin-fixed 15 cadavers, from the Department of Anatomy, JGM Medical College, Hubballi. The popliteal artery and its branches were studied in 30 limbs of 5 male and 10 female cadavers. Detailed dissection was carried out according to Cunningham’s manual, the popliteal fossa was exposed, and the popliteal artery, its terminal branches, the level of termination, and its mode of termination were studied. RESULTS: In the present study, the largest and shortest lengths of the popliteal artery measured were 60.7 mm and 10.4 mm, respectively. The mean length of the popliteal artery on the right and left sides was 35.76 mm and 33.687 mm, respectively with P = 0.580. Level of termination of the popliteal artery was observed and noted. Normally, the popliteal artery terminates at the lower border of the popliteus muscle. The artery terminating at the upper border of the popliteus was defined as high termination and artery terminating far below the lower border of the popliteus was defined as low termination. In the present study, out of 30 dissected limb specimens, two limbs showed high termination and 28 limbs showed normal termination of the popliteal artery. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the variations of the branching pattern of the popliteal artery is important in planning surgeries and image-based interventions. Hence, the present study can be of help in selecting the treatment options at surgery and avoidance of iatrogenic injury.