Popliteal Artery: Function, Anatomy, Conditions and Warning Signs
Updated: 1 day ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer: What is the popliteal artery?
The popliteal artery is the main artery that runs behind the knee from the lower thigh to the upper calf, supplying oxygen-rich blood to the knee, lower leg and foot. Plaque, entrapment, aneurysm or trauma can reduce blood flow. A cold or discolored leg, sudden severe pain, loss of movement or sensation, or heavy bleeding needs urgent care. [1]
What the research says
Open repair of popliteal aneurysms keeps the artery open longer; endovascular repair means fewer wound problems. A meta-analysis of 32 original studies found open repair had higher 1-year primary patency (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.41–3.12) and fewer reinterventions (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.17–0.45), but more wound complications (OR 5.18, 95% CI 2.19–12.26); the certainty of the evidence was low (Beuschel et al., Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2022). [2]
Knee dislocations injure the popliteal artery in a minority of cases. A systematic review of 132 studies covering 43,869 knee dislocations found popliteal artery injury in 7.8% of patients, peroneal nerve injury in 15.3% and amputation in 2.3% (Randall et al., Injury, 2024). [3]
Popliteal entrapment is usually confirmed with arteriography, and surgical results vary. A systematic review of 44 articles (30 on popliteal artery entrapment) found arteriography had a mean sensitivity of 97%, a median 27.5% failure rate after arterial reconstruction and a median 77% of patients symptom-free after surgery (Sinha et al., Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2012). [4]
Ruptured popliteal aneurysms are often missed at first. A case series and systematic review (6 cases from one hospital plus 134 cases from the literature) found that the diagnosis of a ruptured popliteal artery aneurysm was missed in up to 78.89% of recorded cases, often mistaken for deep vein thrombosis, a ruptured Baker’s cyst or a bleed caused by anticoagulation. Mortality was 13.22% within 30 days and 27.68% within 90 days, and amputation-free survival was 80% at 30 days and 72% at 90 days (Abuduruk et al., Ann Vasc Surg, 2025). [5]
A knee dislocation can disrupt the popliteal artery in a meaningful minority of cases. A retrospective study of 14 knee dislocations with popliteal artery disruption, combined with a review of the literature, reported that disruption of the popliteal blood supply occurs in between 4% and 20% of patients with knee dislocation, and the authors advise suspecting ischemia in every knee dislocation. After bypass surgery, blood supply to the limb was restored in 13 of the 14 patients (Bonnevialle et al., Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot, 2006). [6]
What is the popliteal artery?
The popliteal artery is a blood vessel that travels down the back of the knee. There is one in each leg. [1]
Together with its branches, the popliteal arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to the knee, lower leg and foot. They are part of the continuous arterial pathway that carries blood from the heart toward tissues throughout the leg. [1]
What does the popliteal artery do?
The popliteal artery supports blood flow through the lower body. Its branches extend above, below and around the knee, supplying oxygen-rich blood to nearby muscles, bones, the knee and the calf. [1]
A healthcare professional may also use the artery as a pulse point. Pressing behind the knee can be one part of an examination of blood flow in the leg. A person should not use a home pulse check to diagnose an artery problem. [1]
Area supplied | Why blood flow matters |
Lower hamstring muscles | Supports muscle activity in the lower thigh |
Lower thigh bone | Contributes to the bone’s blood supply |
Knee | Supports the joint and surrounding tissues |
Upper shin bone | Continues circulation into the upper lower leg |
Calf muscles | Supplies tissues involved in standing and walking |
Where is the popliteal artery located?
The popliteal artery is behind the knee. It begins in the lower thigh as a continuation of the superficial femoral artery. [1]
Its beginning is in the adductor canal, a space between muscles. From there, it travels through the popliteal fossa, the soft area commonly called the knee pit. Blood vessels and nerves also pass through this space. [1]
The artery ends just below the knee in the upper calf, where it divides into two terminal branches. [1]
What are the popliteal artery’s main branches?
The popliteal artery divides below the knee into the anterior tibial artery and the tibioperoneal trunk. [1]
The tibioperoneal trunk then divides into the posterior tibial artery and the peroneal artery. These vessels continue carrying blood toward the ankle and foot. [1]
Branch or branch group | General route or role |
Anterior tibial artery | One of the two terminal branches below the knee |
Tibioperoneal trunk | The other terminal branch; divides into the posterior tibial and peroneal arteries |
Posterior tibial artery | Carries blood onward through the lower leg toward the ankle and foot |
Peroneal artery | Carries blood onward through the lower leg toward the ankle and foot |
Genicular arteries | Branches around the knee, including superior, middle and inferior lateral and medial branches |
Sural artery | A branch that supplies structures in the calf region |
The named knee-area branches include the superior lateral genicular, superior medial genicular, middle genicular, inferior lateral genicular, inferior medial genicular and sural arteries.
What happens if the popliteal artery is damaged?
Trauma, plaque buildup and other health conditions can limit or block blood flow through the popliteal artery. When tissues in the leg and foot do not receive enough blood and oxygen, they may not function normally. [1]
Severe untreated damage can threaten the limb. The risk depends on the cause, how much blood flow is affected, how quickly the problem is recognized and the treatment available.
Which conditions can affect the popliteal artery?
Conditions that can affect the popliteal artery include peripheral artery disease, popliteal artery entrapment syndrome and popliteal aneurysm, which can reduce or interrupt blood flow. [1]
Condition | What may happen |
Peripheral artery disease | Plaque buildup narrows leg arteries and may cause pain during activity |
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome | Muscles around the artery squeeze it and reduce blood flow; it is seen most often in young athletes |
Popliteal aneurysm | A portion of the artery balloons outward and may lead to clots or other complications |
Adventitial cystic disease | A fluid-filled sac forms in the artery wall and reduces blood flow |
Hemorrhage after trauma | A knee injury can rupture the artery and cause serious bleeding |
Peripheral artery disease
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, can occur when plaque builds up in arteries of the legs, including the popliteal artery. Leg pain during activity is one possible symptom. [1]
Depending on the situation, care may include medicines, procedures, supervised walking programs or changes to daily habits. The appropriate approach depends on the individual evaluation. [1]
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome
In popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, nearby muscles can squeeze the artery and reduce blood flow. The condition occurs most often in young athletes. [1]
Surgery can restore normal blood flow in some cases. Exercise-related lower-leg symptoms should not be assumed to be muscle strain without appropriate evaluation. [1]
Popliteal aneurysm
A popliteal aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in part of the artery. It can lead to blood clots and other complications. [1]
If an aneurysm becomes too large or causes symptoms, a procedure or surgery may be needed to repair it. An imaging study and vascular assessment help determine the next step. [1]
Adventitial cystic disease
Adventitial cystic disease occurs when a fluid-filled sac forms in the wall of the artery. The cyst can narrow the space available for blood flow. [1]
Lower-leg cramping during walking or exercise is one possible symptom. Surgery can repair the problem in some situations. [1]
Hemorrhage after knee trauma
A traumatic knee injury can rupture the popliteal artery and cause hemorrhage. Reports estimate that up to 1 in 5 knee dislocations may cause such a rupture.
This is an emergency. Surgery may be needed immediately, sometimes using a bypass around the damaged artery so blood can reach the leg. [1]
What symptoms should be checked by a healthcare professional?
Call a healthcare professional if you have a leg or foot wound that will not heal, pain when walking, trouble moving, unexplained leg swelling, a change in leg temperature or color or leg pain at rest. [1]
These symptoms have multiple possible causes. They do not identify a popliteal artery condition by themselves.
Symptom or finding | Why evaluation matters |
Wound that does not heal | May reflect reduced circulation or another condition affecting healing |
Pain with walking | Can occur when working muscles need more blood flow than narrowed arteries can provide |
Trouble moving | May reflect pain, injury, nerve symptoms or impaired circulation |
Unexplained swelling | Can have arterial, venous, muscular or other causes |
Temperature or color change | Can signal a circulation problem and needs clinical context |
Leg pain at rest | May be more concerning than activity-related discomfort and warrants evaluation |
Seek emergency help for sudden severe leg pain, a cold or pale or blue leg or foot, sudden loss of movement or sensation, uncontrolled bleeding after knee trauma, rapidly increasing swelling or other signs of acute circulation loss.
How is the popliteal artery different from the popliteal vein?
The popliteal vein runs just behind the popliteal artery, but the two vessels carry blood in opposite directions. [1]
The popliteal artery carries oxygen-rich blood toward the knee, calf, ankle and foot. The popliteal vein drains oxygen-poor blood from the foot, calf and knee area and carries it back toward the heart. [1]
Vessel | Direction and type of blood flow |
Popliteal artery | Carries oxygen-rich blood toward leg tissues |
Popliteal vein | Returns oxygen-poor blood from the leg toward the heart |
A symptom such as swelling can have several possible causes. It is not possible to distinguish an artery or vein condition based on one symptom alone.
How are popliteal artery problems evaluated?
Evaluation begins with symptoms, timing, activity relationship, recent injury, medical history, medicines and a physical examination. A healthcare professional may assess pulses and circulation in the leg.
Additional testing depends on the concern. Imaging can help examine the artery, while other studies may assess blood flow or identify the cause of symptoms.
Evaluation approach | General purpose |
History and examination | Reviews symptoms, leg appearance, temperature, movement, sensation and pulses |
Vascular imaging | Examines the artery’s structure and blood flow when a blockage, aneurysm or injury is suspected |
Laboratory evaluation | May support assessment of related health conditions when clinically appropriate |
Specialist consultation | Helps determine whether vascular, orthopedic, neurologic or other care is needed |
Not every person needs every test. An individual result must be interpreted together with the examination and clinical history.
How are popliteal artery conditions treated?
Treatment depends on the cause, how much blood flow is affected, symptoms, the urgency of the problem and the person’s overall health.
Care may include medicines, procedures, supervised walking programs, surgery or changes to daily habits. A ruptured artery after trauma requires immediate treatment, while chronic plaque-related disease may be managed through a longer-term plan.
Do not start, stop or change a medicine based only on an article. Do not delay emergency care while trying exercise, compression, massage or a home remedy for sudden circulation symptoms.
How can someone protect artery health?
General measures that support artery and circulatory health include quitting smoking or other tobacco use, exercising most days, following a heart-healthy diet low in cholesterol, fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight and managing diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. [1]
These measures can reduce risk in some situations but cannot prevent every artery condition. They also do not replace evaluation of new or changing symptoms.
General measure | Why it may help |
Avoid tobacco | Supports overall vascular health |
Regular activity | Supports circulation and cardiovascular health |
Heart-healthy nutrition | Helps manage dietary risk factors for artery disease |
Healthy weight | Supports circulation and management of cardiovascular risk |
Chronic-condition care | Helps manage diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure |
Injury prevention | Reduces the chance of traumatic damage around the knee |
What questions should you ask a professional about the popliteal artery?
Questions to ask about the popliteal artery include what is causing your leg symptoms, whether imaging would help, which conditions could be involved and when to seek emergency care.
Could my leg symptom come from an artery, vein, nerve, muscle, joint or another cause?
Does my examination show a change in pulses or blood flow?
Would vascular imaging help explain the symptom?
Could plaque buildup, entrapment, an aneurysm, cystic disease or trauma be involved?
What symptoms should prompt emergency care?
Is activity safe while this is being evaluated?
Do my diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure or tobacco use affect my vascular risk?
Should I see a vascular specialist, primary-care professional or another clinician?
Conclusion: The main artery behind the knee
The popliteal artery is the major artery behind the knee. It continues from the superficial femoral artery, supplies oxygen-rich blood to the knee and lower leg and divides below the knee into vessels that carry blood toward the ankle and foot. [1]
Plaque buildup, muscle entrapment, aneurysm, cystic disease and traumatic injury can reduce blood flow or cause bleeding. Wounds that do not heal, pain with walking, swelling, color or temperature change and pain at rest should be evaluated rather than self-diagnosed. [1]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the popliteal artery?
The popliteal artery is a blood vessel behind the knee. It continues from the superficial femoral artery and supplies oxygen-rich blood to the knee, lower leg and foot.
Where is the popliteal artery located?
The popliteal artery runs through the popliteal fossa, the soft area commonly called the knee pit. It begins in the lower thigh and ends just below the knee in the upper calf.
What does the popliteal artery supply?
The popliteal artery supplies the lower hamstring muscles, lower femur, knee, upper tibia and calf muscles through branches that extend around the knee.
What arteries come from the popliteal artery?
Below the knee, it divides into the anterior tibial artery and the tibioperoneal trunk. The tibioperoneal trunk divides into the posterior tibial and peroneal arteries.
What is a popliteal artery aneurysm?
A popliteal artery aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in part of the popliteal artery. It can lead to blood clots and other complications and may require a procedure or surgery if it grows or causes symptoms.
Can the popliteal artery become compressed?
Yes. Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome occurs when surrounding muscles squeeze the artery and reduce blood flow. It is seen most often in young athletes.
What symptoms can popliteal artery problems cause?
Possible warning symptoms include wounds that will not heal, pain with walking, trouble moving, unexplained swelling, a change in leg temperature or color and pain at rest. These symptoms have many possible causes.
How is the popliteal artery checked?
A healthcare professional may examine leg circulation and pulses and may use vascular imaging or other testing depending on the concern.
Is the popliteal artery the same as the popliteal vein?
No. The artery carries oxygen-rich blood toward the leg tissues. The nearby vein returns oxygen-poor blood toward the heart.
When is a popliteal artery problem an emergency?
Sudden severe leg pain, a cold or pale or blue foot, sudden loss of movement or sensation, uncontrolled bleeding after knee trauma or rapidly increasing swelling needs emergency medical attention.
Related Reading
Popliteal Artery Aneurysm: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Complete Guide covers a bulging artery behind the knee and how it is repaired.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment Options explains narrowed leg arteries and the treatments that restore blood flow.
What Is Claudication? Why Your Legs Hurt When You Walk, and What to Do About It explains why leg pain during walking can signal poor circulation.
Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): Test, Normal Range and What Your Results Mean describes the simple blood-pressure test that checks leg circulation.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Popliteal Artery: Function & Anatomy. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated July 15, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22708-popliteal-artery
Beuschel B, Nayfeh T, Kunbaz A, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of treatment and natural history of popliteal artery aneurysms. J Vasc Surg. 2022;75(1S):121S-125S.e14. PMID 34058308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2021.05.023
Randall ZD, Strok MJ, Mazzola JW, et al. The known and unknown reality of knee dislocations: a systematic review. Injury. 2024;55(11):111904. PMID 39357194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2024.111904
Sinha S, Houghton J, Holt PJ, et al. Popliteal entrapment syndrome. J Vasc Surg. 2012;55(1):252-262.e30. PMID 22116047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2011.08.050
Abuduruk A, Abdallah A, Stather P, et al. Ruptured Popliteal Aneurysms: A Case Series and Systematic Review. Ann Vasc Surg. 2025;115:281-289. PMID 40054614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avsg.2025.01.038
Bonnevialle P, Chaufour X, Loustau O, et al. [Traumatic knee dislocation with popliteal vascular disruption: retrospective study of 14 cases]. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot. 2006;92(8):768-777. PMID 17245236. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0035-1040(06)75945-1
Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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