Popliteal vein

Popliteal vein
Lymph glands of popliteal fossa, with popliteal vein labeled.
Details
Source	anterior tibial, posterior tibial, small saphenous
Drains to	femoral vein
Artery	popliteal artery
Identifiers
Latin	vena poplitea
MeSH	D011152
TA98	A12.3.11.028
TA2	5072
FMA	44327
Anatomical terminology

The popliteal vein is formed by the junction of the venae comitantes of the anterior and posterior tibial arteries at the lower border of the popliteus muscle on the medial side of the popliteal artery. As it ascends through the fossa, it crosses behind the popliteal artery so that it comes to lie on its lateral side. It passes through the opening in the adductor magnus to become the femoral vein.

Tributaries

The tributaries of the popliteal vein are as follows:

• Veins that correspond to branches given off by the popliteal artery (see popliteal artery).
• Small saphenous vein, which perforates the deep fascia and passes between the two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle to end in the popliteal vein.

Additional images

• 
  The small saphenous vein. Popliteal vein is labeled at top.
• 
  The popliteal vein.

External links

• Template:GraySubject - Veins of the Lower Extremity
• Template:EMedicineDictionary