Popliteal artery

a vessel that forms a continuation of the femoral artery. Also, see popliteal artery.

2. Pathology

The artery may undergo compression by the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, leading to an entrapment syndrome. Arteriography is especially useful in the identification of this abnormalitity (see entrapment syndrome popliteal artery). In addition, aneurysm of the popliteal artery is common and may be manifested by pain, claudication, ischaemia, and swelling in the lower leg; neurologic synptoms may also develop from pressure on the sciatic nerve. A pulsatile soft tissue mass may be observed in the popliteal space, with curvilinear calcifications in its wall. Arteriography and ultrasonography are valuable in the evaluation of popliteal artery aneurysms.

DR