The major blood vessel in the knee is the popliteal artery.
The popliteal artery is a continuation of the femoral artery, the main artery supplying the leg. As the femoral artery passes through the adductor hiatus (an opening in the adductor magnus muscle), it enters the popliteal fossa (the hollow behind the knee) and becomes the popliteal artery. It's this artery that provides the main blood supply to the knee joint and surrounding structures.
The popliteal artery's location behind the knee makes it vulnerable to injury in cases of knee dislocations or fractures. It's also the point where the popliteal pulse can be felt, which is important for assessing blood flow to the lower leg and foot.
Beyond supplying the knee, the popliteal artery branches into several smaller arteries that continue down the leg, providing blood to the calf and foot. These include the anterior tibial artery, posterior tibial artery, and peroneal artery. These arteries play a crucial role in nourishing the muscles, bones, and other tissues of the lower leg and foot.
