The popliteal artery is the continuation of the femoral artery below the adductor hiatus.

It passes through the popliteal fossa and at the lower part of the popliteus muscle divides into its terminal branches: the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.

The popliteal artery gives off several small side branches, including:

Lateral superior genicular artery
Medial superior genicular artery
Lateral inferior genicular artery
Medial inferior genicular arteries
Middle genicular artery
Sural arteries

These genicular arteries that arise from the popliteal artery form the periarticular genicular anastomosis - a network of blood vessels surrounding the knee joint and providing collateral circulation.

In general, the popliteal artery supplies blood to the knee joint, as well as the triceps surae and popliteus muscles.

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Popliteal artery