Which lower limb aery is difficult to palpate?
POPLITEAL AERY:- Continuation of femoral aery.Begins at adductor hiatus. Runs downwards and laterally to reach lower border of popliteus.Terminates by dividing into anterior and posterior tibial aeries. Relations:-1. Anteriorly- popliteal surface of femur, back of knee joint, fascia covering popliteus.2. Posterior - tibial nerve.3. Lateral- biceps femoris, plantaris, lateral head of gastrocnemius and lateral condyle of femur.4. Medial-semimembranosus, medial condyle of femur. Branches:-1. Muscular- adductor Magnus, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris.2. Cutaneous3. Genicular- superior, middle and inferior. Middle -pierces oblique popliteal ligament. Supplies cruciate ligament and synol membrane of knee joint. BP of lower limb measured from popliteal aery.In coarctation of aoa, popliteal pressure < brachial pressure.Popliteal aery is fixed to capsule of knee joint by a fibrous band present just above the femoral condyles. This may be a source of continuous traction or stretching in the aery, causing primary thrombosis of aery.More prone to aneurysm. Dorsalis pedis- can be easily at proximal end of first intermetatarsal space. i.e .between the tendons of EHL and first tendon of EDL. Anterior tibial aery- palpable at midway between two malleolus Posterior tibial aery- pulsation felt at 2 cm behind and below medial malleolus. <img src=" /> {Reference: BDC 6E chapter 6,pg no.78,166}
Popliteal aery
Anterior tibial aery
Posterior tibial aery
Dorsalis pedis aery
Lower limb