High division of the popliteal artery – a case report

Cadaveric study on the popliteal artery was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala. Common variation of high division of popliteal artery was observed on the left side of one of the embalmed male cadaver. This artery divided at the level of upper border of popliteus muscle into an anterior tibial and posterior tibial artery. Inferior lateral genicular artery, which is usually a branch of popliteal artery, was found to be the branch of anterior tibial artery. However, arterial branching pattern and point of bifurcation on the right side were as usual.
Knowledge of these variations will be beneficial to angiographers for evaluation of arteriograms and vascular surgeons for various surgical approaches in the lower extremity.