open access

Vol 78, No 1 (2019)
Original article
Submitted: 2018-02-14
Accepted: 2018-06-10
Published online: 2018-06-21
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Branching patterns of the foetal popliteal artery

A. Rohan1, Z. Domagała1, S. Abu Faraj1, A. Korykowska1, J. Klekowski2, N. Pospiech2, S. Wozniak1, B. Gworys3
·
Pubmed: 30009372
·
Folia Morphol 2019;78(1):71-78.
Affiliations
  1. Division of Anatomy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
  2. Clinical and Dissecting Anatomy Students Scientific Club, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
  3. Division of Basic Sciences, Witelon State University of Applied Sciences, Legnica, Poland

open access

Vol 78, No 1 (2019)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2018-02-14
Accepted: 2018-06-10
Published online: 2018-06-21

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study is to evaluate the popliteal artery topography and the origin variability of its branches in human foetuses at the gestational age of from 4 to 9 months. The basis for the analysis are direct observations of classic anatomic dissections of the popliteal fossa. Possible dimorphic and bilateral differen- ces, as well as the gestational age variability at the foetal period, were considered. A typology of popliteal artery branches will be made on the basis of the studies. 

Materials and methods: The research material of this study comprises 231 foetuses (including 116 males and 115 females). The foetuses were divided into five 28-day age classes. The vessels of the lower extremity were injected with LBSK 5545 latex through the femoral artery. The bilateral dissection of the po- pliteal artery along with its branches was performed. No visible malformations were found in the research material, and the foetuses came from spontaneous abortions and premature births. 

Results and Conclusions: Ten per cent of the cases featured the variations of popliteal artery terminal branches. Three most commonly seen variations are the trifurcation, anterior tibial-peroneal trunk, and high terminal division of the po- pliteal artery. The most common course of the superior muscular branches is that there are two large branches which are distributed from the popliteal artery at the height of the knee joint cavity and they do not distribute cutaneous branches. Sural branches are also present as two large vessels without cutaneous branches. The genicular anastomosis branches that run on their own are a typical topographic system of these branches. 

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study is to evaluate the popliteal artery topography and the origin variability of its branches in human foetuses at the gestational age of from 4 to 9 months. The basis for the analysis are direct observations of classic anatomic dissections of the popliteal fossa. Possible dimorphic and bilateral differen- ces, as well as the gestational age variability at the foetal period, were considered. A typology of popliteal artery branches will be made on the basis of the studies. 

Materials and methods: The research material of this study comprises 231 foetuses (including 116 males and 115 females). The foetuses were divided into five 28-day age classes. The vessels of the lower extremity were injected with LBSK 5545 latex through the femoral artery. The bilateral dissection of the po- pliteal artery along with its branches was performed. No visible malformations were found in the research material, and the foetuses came from spontaneous abortions and premature births. 

Results and Conclusions: Ten per cent of the cases featured the variations of popliteal artery terminal branches. Three most commonly seen variations are the trifurcation, anterior tibial-peroneal trunk, and high terminal division of the po- pliteal artery. The most common course of the superior muscular branches is that there are two large branches which are distributed from the popliteal artery at the height of the knee joint cavity and they do not distribute cutaneous branches. Sural branches are also present as two large vessels without cutaneous branches. The genicular anastomosis branches that run on their own are a typical topographic system of these branches. 

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Keywords

popliteal artery branches; popliteal artery topography; human foetuses

About this article
Title

Branching patterns of the foetal popliteal artery

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 78, No 1 (2019)

Article type

Original article

Pages

71-78

Published online

2018-06-21

Page views

1569

Article views/downloads

1082

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2018.0052

Pubmed

30009372

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2019;78(1):71-78.

Keywords

popliteal artery branches
popliteal artery topography
human foetuses

Authors

A. Rohan
Z. Domagała
S. Abu Faraj
A. Korykowska
J. Klekowski
N. Pospiech
S. Wozniak
B. Gworys

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