Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Popliteal vein
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The popliteal vein course runs along side the popliteal artery but carries the blood from the knee joint and muscles in the thigh and calf back to the heart.
Its origin is defined by the junction of the posterior tibial vein and anterior tibial vein.
It drains the peroneal vein before reaching the knee joint and turns into the femoral vein when leaving the adductor canal (also known as Hunter’s canal).
The popliteal artery extends from the femoral artery behind the popliteal fossa which is the space behind the knee.
Additional images
Additional images
-
The small saphenous vein. Popliteal vein is labeled at top. -
The popliteal vein.
External links
External links
- Template:GraySubject – “The Arteries of the Lower Extremity”
- Template:EMedicineDictionary
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.