| Popliteal vein | |
|---|---|
 Front and back views of popliteal and other veins | |
 Lymph glands of popliteal fossa, with popliteal vein labeled. | |
| Details | |
| Source | Anterior tibial,posterior tibial,small saphenous |
| Drains to | Femoral vein |
| Artery | Popliteal artery |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | vena poplitea |
| MeSH | D011152 |
| TA98 | A12.3.11.028 |
| TA2 | 5072 |
| FMA | 44327 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Thepopliteal vein is avein of thelower limb. It is formed from theanterior tibial vein and theposterior tibial vein. It travels medial to thepopliteal artery, and becomes thefemoral vein. It drains blood from theleg. It can be assessed usingmedical ultrasound. It can be affected by popliteal vein entrapment.
The popliteal vein is formed by the junction of thevenae comitantes of theanterior tibial vein and theposterior tibial vein at the lower border of thepopliteus muscle. It travels on the medial side of thepopliteal artery.[1] It is superficial to the popliteal artery.[2] As it ascends through the fossa, it crosses behind the popliteal artery so that it comes to lie on its lateral side. It passes through theadductor hiatus (the opening in theadductor magnus muscle) to become thefemoral vein.[1][3]
The tributaries of the popliteal vein include:
The popliteal vein may be doubled in up to 35% of people.[2]
The popliteal vein drains blood from theleg.[2]
The popliteal vein is readily palpated in thepopliteal fossa adjacent to theadductor magnus muscle.[4]
The popliteal vein can be visualised usingmedical ultrasound, includingDoppler ultrasonography.[2] It may be affected by athrombus.[2]
The popliteal vein may become trapped.[5] This reduces the flow of blood out of the leg, causingoedema,pain, andvenous ulcers.[5] Entrapment is usually caused bygastrocnemius muscle.[5]Venography (using anx-ray) ormagnetic resonance imaging can investigate it.[5] Surgery can be used to remove tissue creating pressure.[5]
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