Inferior Lateral Genicular Artery (Left)

Origin

The inferior lateral and medial genicular arteries arise from the popliteal artery within the popliteal fossa. They arise distal to the middle genicular artery, deep to the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle. The inferior lateral genicular artery arises proximal to the inferior medial genicular artery.

Course

The inferior lateral genicular artery extends laterally around the lateral tibial condyle, deep to the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle. It descends laterally and runs along the proximal aspect of the popliteus muscle. It travels deep to the tibial nerve within the popliteal fossa, and deep to the common fibular nerve at the lateral border of the leg.

As it curves around to the anterior aspect of the knee, the inferior lateral genicular artery lies deep to the fibular (lateral) collateral ligament, between 0.5-1 cm distal to the knee joint (Tubbs, Shoja and Loukas, 2016).

Branches

The inferior lateral genicular artery give off three branches in the anterior aspect of the knee joint (Tubbs, Shoja and Loukas, 2016).

- The ascending parapatellar artery forms an anastomosis with the superior lateral genicular artery.

- The oblique parapatellar artery aids in the formation of the anastomotic ring on the anterior surface of the patella.

- The transverse infrapatellar artery anastomoses deep to the infrapatellar ligament.

Supplied Structures

The inferior lateral genicular artery gives a muscular branch to supply the popliteus muscle. It contributes to the formation of the genicular and patellar anastomoses to supply the knee joint and the adjacent structures of the lateral knee.

References

Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M. and Loukas, M. (2016) Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation. Wiley.