Popliteal artery: Anatomical study and review of the literature

•Variability on the terminal division of the popliteal artery ranges from 2 to 21%.•Classifications made up with arteriograms overvalue the real incidence of variability.•Our classification has 3 patterns based on the relationship with the popliteus muscle.•No significant differences were found for the patterns between gender and side.•Anterior tibial artery is vulnerable during surgical procedures in pattern 2b. The frequency of appearance of anatomical variability in the terminal division of the popliteal artery (PA) is different according to the type of sample used, and ranges from 2% to 21%. The PA locates 1,01 cm behind to the lateral meniscus, which makes it vulnerable during surgical procedures. Iatrogenic injury of the PA or its terminal branches increases if anatomical variables are present. Our aim was to describe and review the branching pattern of the PA in a body-donors to science sample to determine the influence of the sample used (body-donors vs imaging test). A sample consisting of 260 popliteal regions, corresponding to 130 corpses (66 women, 64 men), have been dissected. Multivariate analysis was carried out. The terminal division of the PA was classified as follows: Pattern 1: the PA divided into the anterior tibial (ATA) and the posterior tibial arteries (PTA) at the level or distal to the lower border of the popliteal muscle (PM) (94.7%). Pattern 2: the PA bifurcated into the ATA and PTA, proximal to the lower border of the PM (3.3%). Pattern 3: the PA divided at the same level into the ATA, PTA and PEA. (2%). No significant differences between gender and side of the limb could be find. We propose a classification that encloses three identifiable groups only. This will allow clinicians to bear in mind these variables easily, at the same time avoiding injuries during surgical procedures such as lateral meniscus repair.