Lower limb
Inferior genicular arteries (Lateral and medial)
Arteriae genus inferiores (lateralis et medialis)
- Origin
- Arise from the distal popliteal artery near the popliteus muscle
- Insertion
- Wind around the proximal tibial condyles deep to collateral ligaments to complete the inferior patellar arterial rete
- Function
- Supply the proximal tibia, medial and lateral menisci (peripheral vascular zone), patellar tendon, and inferior capsule
- Innervation
- Sympathetic vasomotor fibers
- Movement & chain
- Pass horizontally along the joint line beneath collateral ligaments
- Palpation
- Not palpable through fibrous knee joint restraints
- Clinical
- Provide blood supply to the peripheral vascular 'red-red zone' of menisci (determining healing potential in meniscal repair vs meniscectomy)
- Segmental innervation
- L4–S1 spinal segments
- In clinical practice
- Crucial concept in arthroscopic meniscal preservation surgery; tears in the vascular zone are sutured rather than excised
- Region in the model
- Lower limb