Abstract
Aim: The orthopedic surgeons, especially those who are specialized in arthroplasty, should be conversant with all the anatomic variations of the popliteal bothrium. After a wide research we present our conclusions about the variations of the popliteal bothrium.
Material-method: The study was carried out in the Anatomic Laboratory of Athens Medical University during the last 16 years and for our purpose we dissected 110 cadavers (220 legs).
Results: The length of the popliteal artery, from the major adductor foramen to the division into anterior and posterior tibial artery, is 4–9 cm. We have classified the observed variations into two groups, according to whether the division is below or above the level of the popliteal muscle:
1. below the level of the popliteal muscle (194/220)
A. The division occurs after the origin of the peroneal artery (172/220)
B. The peroneal artery arises at the level of the division (16/220)
C. The popliteal artery divides into posterior tibial and peroneal artery, while the anterior tibial artery arises from the peroneal (6/220)
2. above the level of the popliteal muscle (26/220)
A. The peroneal artery arises from the posterior tibial artery (10/220)
B. The peroneal artery arises from the posterior tibial artery, while the anterior tibial artery runs in front of the popliteal muscle (8/220)
C. The peroneal artery arises from the anterior tibial artery (8/220)
The abstracts were prepared by Eleni Koutsoukou. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Hellenic Association of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (HAOST), 20, A. Fleming str, 15123 Marousi, Athens, Greece.
