624 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY. 



The artery lies between the semimembranosus and biceps 

 above, and between the two heads of the gastrocnemius 

 below, the plantaris being at the outer side. 



Branches of the Popliteal. 



(1) Muscular or sural. These are divided into two 

 groups, superior and inferior, from the upper and lower por- 

 tions of the popliteal. 



The superior are three or four in number, supply the 

 structures of the upper half of the popliteal space and anas- 

 tomose with the lower perforating branches of the profunda, 

 and the superior articular branches of the popliteal. 



The inferior sural, two in number, supply the muscles at 

 the lower part of the popliteal space and calf of the leg. 



From the inferior sural cutaneous branches are given off 

 to the superficial structures upon the back of the leg. 



A larger branch may accompany the external saphenous 

 vein ; if present it is called the external saphenous artery. 



(2) Articular. Five in number. Figs. 119, 121, 128, 

 129, 130. (a) The superior external articular. Passes 

 transversely outward above the external head of the 

 gastrocnemius and under (in front of) the biceps to 

 the front of the outer side of the upper part of the 

 knee, where it anastomoses with the descending branch 

 of the external circumflex, above ; the deep branch 

 from the anastomotica magna and the superior internal 

 articular, across the front of the knee ; and the inferior 

 external articular, below, (ft) The inferior external articu- 

 lar. This takes a course outward under (in front of) the 

 external head of the gastrocnemius, then under the external 

 lateral ligament of the knee and tendon of the biceps muscle 

 (just above the head of the fibula) to the front of the lower 

 part of the knee, where it anastomoses with the external 

 superior external articular, above ; the anterior tibial recur- 



