Inferior lateral genicular artery

At a glance

English

Inferior lateral genicular artery

Latin (TA2)

Arteria inferior lateralis genus

System

Artery

Region

Lower limb

Side

Paired, left and right

About the inferior lateral genicular artery

The inferior lateral genicular artery arises from the popliteal artery in the lower part of the popliteal fossa, below the level of the knee joint line. It is one of the genicular branches that ring the knee.

It runs laterally across the popliteus muscle, deep to the lateral head of gastrocnemius, and then passes forward just above the head of the fibula. Here it lies close to the joint line, along the outer edge of the lateral meniscus, and passes deep to the fibular collateral ligament and the tendon of biceps femoris. It continues round to the front of the knee, at the level of the lateral condyle of the tibia and to the side of the patellar ligament.

It supplies the lateral parts of the knee joint capsule and the structures beside it, and takes part in the genicular anastomosis. It joins the superior lateral genicular artery above, the inferior medial genicular artery across the front of the knee below the patella, and recurrent branches from the anterior tibial artery.

Its position along the lateral meniscus makes it vulnerable in operations on that side of the knee. It can be injured in lateral meniscal repair or removal, in arthroscopic work through lateral portals and in procedures on the posterolateral corner, and bleeding from it is a recognised cause of haematoma or false aneurysm after such surgery. In total knee replacement it is often divided when the lateral meniscus is removed.

Course and supply

Arises from

The popliteal artery, in the lower part of the popliteal fossa.

Ends in

Ends at the front of the knee in the genicular anastomosis, joining the inferior medial genicular and anterior tibial recurrent branches.

Supplies

Supplies the lateral parts of the knee joint, including the capsule beside the lateral meniscus.