258 



SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE 



FIG. 43. 



very dense, and incloses the popliteal artery and vein, 

 which latter lies internal to the internal popliteal nerve, 

 and superficial to the artery. 



The Popliteal Artery. The 

 course of this vessel in the 

 space is indicated by a line 

 which, commencing at the cen- 

 tre of Pou part's ligament, and 

 wrapping round the thigh, 

 would fall immediately be- 

 tween the two condyles of the 

 femur behind ; commencing at 

 the opening in the adductor 

 magnus, it extends to the 

 lower border of the popliteus 

 muscle; it lies close to the 

 surface of the bone, and gives 

 off its articular branches near- 

 ly at right angles to its course. 

 Between the artery and the 

 vein is the articular branch 

 of the obturator nerve, which 

 supplies the knee-joint. The 

 artery and vein are in such 

 intimate relation that it would 

 be almost impossible for a 



Deep dissection of the popliteal space. 1. Adductor magnus. 2. Vastus exter- 

 nus. 3. Popliteal vein. 4. Great sciatic nerve. 5. Popliteal artery. 6. Short 

 head of biceps. 7. Internal popliteal nerve. 8. External popliteal nerve. 9. 

 Vastus interims. 10. Long head of biceps (cut). 11. Superior internal articular 

 artery. 12. Outer head of gastrocneniius. 13. Tendon of serai-membranosus. 

 14. Communicans peronei nerve. 15. Inner head of gastrocneniius. 16. Soleus. 

 17. Inferior internal articular artery. 18. Gastrocnemius. 19. Popliteus. 20. 

 External saphenous vein and nerve. 21. Tendon of plantaris. (HEATH.) 



