Vessel · Knee

Popliteal artery

Arteria poplitea

The popliteal artery is the femoral artery's continuation behind the knee, taking its new name as it passes through the adductor hiatus. It is the deepest structure in the hollow at the back of the knee, lying right against the joint capsule and the back of the femur — an intimate relationship that puts it at risk in knee dislocation and in fractures around the knee. It ends by dividing into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries at the lower border of popliteus.