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# Genicular arteries

The genicular arteries are a ring of small arteries around the knee that supply the joint, branching from the popliteal artery.

Official name: Superior lateral genicular artery

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## What it is

A ring of small arteries around the knee.

## What it does

Supply blood to the joint, the bones' ends and the soft tissues.

## Key points

- Too small to save the leg when the [popliteal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/popliteal-artery/) is blocked suddenly; with a slow blockage they enlarge into useful collaterals
- The superior lateral genicular artery can be cut in a lateral retinacular release of the patella, a cause of bleeding into the knee
- The inferior lateral genicular artery runs along the lateral joint line beside the [lateral meniscus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-meniscus/), at risk in lateral meniscal and posterolateral corner surgery

## Key facts

**Origin**
Popliteal artery (superior medial and lateral, middle, inferior medial and lateral); descending genicular from femoral

**Branches**
Form genicular anastomosis with descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral and anterior tibial recurrent

**Supplies**
Knee capsule, cruciate ligaments (middle genicular), menisci, patella

## Relations

**Course**
The superior pair wind round the [femur](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femur/) just above the condyles (under the [adductor magnus tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-adductor-magnus/) medially, the biceps femoris laterally); the middle one pierces the [oblique popliteal ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/oblique-popliteal-ligament/) into the notch; the inferior medial passes under the medial collateral ligament, the inferior lateral under the lateral collateral ligament above the fibular head

**In front**
Around the [patella](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/patella/) and in the [infrapatellar fat pad](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/infrapatellar-fat-pad/) they form a network with the descending genicular artery, the descending branch of the lateral circumflex [femoral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-artery/) and the anterior tibial recurrent artery

## How to find it

Not palpable. On angiography they are the small vessels arching round the femoral and tibial condyles. At surgery the inferior lateral one is met at the lateral joint line and the superior lateral one above the lateral femoral condyle, under the edge of the [vastus lateralis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vastus-lateralis-muscle/).

## On imaging

Usually seen only on angiography (catheter, CT or MR), as small vessels curving round the femoral and tibial condyles. When the popliteal artery is blocked, they appear enlarged as collaterals that refill the leg arteries. After knee surgery or trauma, CT angiography looks for a bleeding point or a false aneurysm. Radiographs and routine ultrasound do not show them.

## Clinical notes

- Bleeding or a false aneurysm of a genicular artery is a known cause of recurrent hemarthrosis after knee replacement or arthroscopy; it can be closed by catheter embolization
- A medial parapatellar arthrotomy combined with a lateral release can cut much of the patellar network, linked to patellar osteonecrosis after knee replacement
- Genicular artery embolization, which closes small abnormal branches feeding inflamed synovium, is being studied as a catheter treatment for knee osteoarthritis pain that does not settle with usual care

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## From which artery do the five genicular arteries arise?

The popliteal artery (superior medial and lateral, middle, inferior medial and lateral); the descending genicular comes from the femoral artery.

## Why can't the genicular arteries save the leg in a sudden popliteal artery blockage?

They are too small; only with a slow blockage do they enlarge into useful collaterals.

## Which genicular artery is at risk in a lateral retinacular release of the patella?

The superior lateral genicular artery, whose cutting can cause bleeding into the knee.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
arteria superior lateralis genus; arteria superior medialis genus; arteria media genus TA2 4700

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Arterias geniculares

**English (TA2)**
Superior lateral genicular artery

**Also called**
arteria genu superior lateralis · arteria genus proximalis fibularis

## Related

- [Popliteal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/popliteal-artery/)
- [ACL](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-cruciate-ligament/)
- [PCL](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-cruciate-ligament/)
- [Medial meniscus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-meniscus/)
- [Lateral meniscus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-meniscus/)
- [Joint capsule](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-capsule-of-knee-joint/)
- [Patella](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/patella/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Popliteal Artery](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537125/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-lateral-genicular-artery/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-lateral-genicular-artery/