genicular

The inferior genicular arteries (aa. genu inferiores; inferior articular arteries) (Figs. 550, 551), two in number, arise from the popliteal beneath the Gastrocnemius.

VI. The Arteries. 6c. The Popliteal Artery 1918

The lateral inferior genicular runs lateralward above the head of the fibula to the front of the knee-joint, passing in its course beneath the lateral head of the Gastrocnemius, the fibular collateral ligament, and the tendon of the Biceps femoris.

VI. The Arteries. 6c. The Popliteal Artery 1918

The superior genicular arteries (aa. genu superiores; superior articular arteries) (Figs. 550, 551), two in number, arise one on either side of the popliteal, and wind around the femur immediately above its condyles to the front of the knee-joint.

VI. The Arteries. 6c. The Popliteal Artery 1918

The medial superior genicular runs in front of the Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus, above the medial head of the Gastrocnemius, and passes beneath the tendon of the Adductor magnus.

VI. The Arteries. 6c. The Popliteal Artery 1918

The middle genicular artery (a. genu media; azygos articular artery) is a small branch, arising opposite the back of the knee-joint.

VI. The Arteries. 6c. The Popliteal Artery 1918

It ends by dividing into branches, which anastomose with the medial inferior and lateral superior genicular arteries, and with the anterior recurrent tibial artery.

VI. The Arteries. 6c. The Popliteal Artery 1918

The arteries which form this plexus are the two medial and the two lateral genicular branches of the popliteal, the highest genicular, the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex, and the anterior recurrent tibial.

VI. The Arteries. 6c. The Popliteal Artery 1918

The medial inferior genicular first descends along the upper margin of the Popliteus, to which it gives branches; it then passes below the medial condyle of the tibia, beneath the tibial collateral ligament, at the anterior border of which it ascends to the front and medial side of the joint, to supply the upper end of the tibia and the articulation of the knee, anastomosing with the lateral inferior and medial superior genicular arteries.

VI. The Arteries. 6c. The Popliteal Artery 1918

It divides into two branches, one of which supplies the Vastus medialis, anastomosing with the highest genicular and medial inferior genicular arteries; the other ramifies close to the surface of the femur, supplying it and the knee-joint, and anastomosing with the lateral superior genicular artery.

VI. The Arteries. 6c. The Popliteal Artery 1918

The medial superior genicular artery is frequently of small size, a condition, which is associated with an increase in the size of the highest genicular.

VI. The Arteries. 6c. The Popliteal Artery 1918