Genicular veins
Venae geniculares
Veins around the knee that accompany the genicular arteries and drain the joint and its surroundings into the popliteal vein.
At a glance
- English
- Genicular veins
- Latin (TA2)
- Venae geniculares
- System
- Vein
- Region
- Lower limb
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the genicular veins
The genicular veins drain the knee joint and the tissues that surround it. They travel with the genicular arteries, the branches of the popliteal artery that encircle the knee, and like those arteries they are usually five in number: superior lateral, superior medial, middle, inferior lateral and inferior medial. Each set runs as companion veins beside its artery.
The superior genicular veins pass round the lower femur just above the condyles, deep to the hamstring tendons on the medial and lateral sides. The inferior genicular veins run round the upper tibia below the joint line, the lateral one passing deep to the lateral collateral ligament and the medial one deep to the medial collateral ligament. The middle genicular vein comes directly from the back of the joint, piercing the oblique popliteal ligament and draining the cruciate ligaments, the synovial membrane and the fat pads within the joint.
All of these veins end in the popliteal vein in the popliteal fossa behind the knee. The popliteal vein is formed by the union of the anterior and posterior tibial veins and continues upwards as the femoral vein, so the genicular veins belong to the deep venous system of the lower limb. Around the patella and the sides of the knee their tributaries form a network that matches the genicular arterial anastomosis and also communicates with superficial veins.
The knee is surrounded by a rich network of vessels, and the genicular veins and arteries are often met in knee surgery, including joint replacement and ligament reconstruction. Bleeding from the genicular vessels is a cause of swelling after such operations. Because they drain into the popliteal vein, clots that form after surgery or immobility can extend into this deep system.
Course and drainage
- Begins at
- Venous networks in and around the knee joint, the capsule, ligaments, menisci and surrounding muscles.
- Drains into
- Drain into the popliteal vein in the popliteal fossa.
- Drains
- Drain the knee joint, its capsule and ligaments, the lower femur and upper tibia, and the tissues around the joint.
Anthromica
See the genicular veins where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
