Middle genicular artery
A small single branch of the popliteal artery that pierces the back of the knee capsule to supply the cruciate ligaments.
At a glance
- English
- Middle genicular artery
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Lower limb
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the middle genicular artery
The middle genicular artery, once called the azygos articular artery because it is unpaired, is a short branch of the popliteal artery. Unlike the other genicular arteries it does not wind round the joint; it passes straight forwards into the knee from behind.
It leaves the front (anterolateral) aspect of the popliteal artery in the popliteal fossa, a little below the superior genicular arteries and roughly midway between the medial and lateral femoral condyles. It may share a short common stem with the lateral superior genicular vessel or arise on its own. Its angle of departure changes with knee position: close to a right angle when the knee is bent and much more acute when it is straight. It is a few millimetres wide and only a few centimetres long, and two small veins run with it.
Running forwards, it perforates the back of the fibrous capsule, including its oblique popliteal ligament, to enter the intercondylar region. There it supplies the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, the synovial membrane covering them and the infrapatellar fat pad, and it contributes to the blood supply of the menisci near their horns. It also sends twigs to the lower end of the femur in the intercondylar notch.
Because the cruciate ligaments depend heavily on this vessel, it is of interest in ligament healing and reconstruction. It can be injured during arthroscopy of the knee, particularly when instruments are passed through the back of the joint from the popliteal fossa, and in sports injuries that tear the cruciates, where its bleeding helps explain the rapid swelling that follows.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- Arises from the anterior surface of the popliteal artery, below the superior genicular arteries, sometimes sharing a stem with the lateral superior genicular vessel.
- Ends in
- Ends in the intercondylar region of the knee after piercing the oblique popliteal ligament and joint capsule.
- Supplies
- Supplies the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, the synovial membrane and fat around them, and nearby parts of the menisci and femur.
Anthromica
See the middle genicular artery 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.
