Variations in terminal branches of the popliteal artery: cadaveric study

Abstract

IntroductionIdentifying the branching pattern of the popliteal artery (PA) is a vital step in planning radiological and surgical procedures involving the anterior and posterior tibial and fibular arteries. The aim of this study was to characterize the course and morphology of the terminal branches of the PA.Materials and methodsThe anatomical variations in the branching patterns of the anterior and posterior tibial and fibular arteries were examined in 100 lower limbs fixed in a 10% formalin solution. A dissection of the popliteal region of the leg was carried out according to a pre-established protocol, using traditional techniques. Morphometric measurements were then obtained twice by two researchers.ResultsIn most cases (72%) the PA divides to form the anterior tibial artery (ATA) and a common junction for the posterior tibial and fibular arteries (type I), which further splits into the fibular artery and the posterior tibial artery (PTA). This type was subdivided into two subgroups according to whether the ATA (subgroup a) or the common junction of the posterior tibial and fibular arteries (subgroup b) had the larger diameter. Other identified variations included division of the PA into the ATA and PTA—8% (type II), trifurcation—12% (type III), the division of the PTA into the ATA and FA—8% (type IV), and aplasia of the PTA—8% (type IV).ConclusionAlthough the typical PA branching type was observed, it can be classified further into two additional sub-types based on the diameter of the ATA and the common junction of the posterior tibial and fibular arteries.

Quadriceps or multiceps femoris?—Cadaveric study

“…A significant increase in morphological variability has been observed in recent years that often requires a reconsideration of the dominant anatomical nomenclature. Morphological variations apply to both veins (Tubbs et al, 2007) and arteries (Olewnik, Łabętowicz, et al, 2019), nerves (Macchi et al, 2018; Olewnik, Karauda, et al, 2020) and muscles (Olewnik, Kurtys, et al, 2020), and tendons (Olewnik, 2019a, 2019b; Olewnik, Gonera, Podgórski, et al, 2019) and ligaments (Olewnik, Gonera, Kurtys, et al, 2018, 2019; Olewnik, Wysiadecki, Podgórski, Polguj, & Topol, 2018), and these variations are observed in both fetuses and adults. The same applies to the quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle, described typically as the quadriceps muscle, which consists of four muscles: the rectus femoris (RF); vastus medialis (VM); vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus intermediate (VI).…”

A highly complex variant of the plantaris tendon insertion and its potential clinical relevance

“…Anatomical variations can be observed around nerves, veins, arteries and ligaments, as well as muscles and their tendons (Tubbs et al 2009 ; Sugavasi 2013 ; Polguj et al 2014 ; Angelov and Jelev 2016 ; Olewnik et al 2017a , b , 2018a , b , 2019a , b , c ; Terfera et al 2015 ; Xu et al 2019 ; Piagkou et al 2019 ). Some of these structures have a tendency to display more common variations, and these can be used to create formal classification systems (Tubbs et al 2009 ; Olewnik et al 2017b , 2018a , 2019a , b , c ). Such findings are of great value for surgical procedures in medical disciplines, such as orthopaedics, vessel surgery or neurosurgery (Tubbs et al 2009 ; Olewnik et al 2018a , 2019a , c ).…”

“…Some of these structures have a tendency to display more common variations, and these can be used to create formal classification systems (Tubbs et al 2009 ; Olewnik et al 2017b , 2018a , 2019a , b , c ). Such findings are of great value for surgical procedures in medical disciplines, such as orthopaedics, vessel surgery or neurosurgery (Tubbs et al 2009 ; Olewnik et al 2018a , 2019a , c ). However, remarkably rare anatomic anomalies that do not fit the classification have also been observed, and these should not be ignored because of their possible influence on the health of patients.…”

Types of inferior mesenteric artery: a proposal for a new classification

“…The study was carried out with classical dissection techniques [16][17][18][19]. During the dissection, the inferior mesenteric artery morphology, the point where it branched off the abdominal aorta in reference to the spine, the presence of additional arterial branches and of quickly-bifurcating arteries, i.e.…”

“…The measurements were taken with an electronic caliper (Mitutoyo Corporation, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan). Each measurement was taken independently twice by two people with high experience in anatomical dissection, accurate within 0.1 mm as in many other studies [15,16,19]…”