Variations in Branching of the Popliteal Artery

The femoral arteriograms of 235 extremities in 155 patients were evaluated for variations in branching of the popliteal artery. The pattern was “normal” in 92 per cent of the extremities. If normal on one side, the chance of variance on the other was 8 per cent; if variant on one side, the chance of variance on the other side was 50 per cent. Variants found were high bifurcation of the popliteal artery, peroneal origin from the anterior tibial artery in association with high bifurcation, trifurcation of the popliteal artery, and bilateral absence of the posterior tibial artery.