Popliteal vein 1982116 200960559 2008-03-26T01:47:18Z Altzinn 4710148 along side ==> alongside {{Infobox Vein | Name = Popliteal vein | Latin = vena poplitea | GraySubject = 173 | GrayPage = 672 | Image = Gray609.png | Caption = Lymph glands of popliteal fossa. | Image2 = | Caption2 = | DrainsFrom = | Source = [[anterior tibial vein|anterior tibial]], [[posterior tibial vein|posterior tibial]], [[small saphenous vein|small saphenous]] | DrainsTo = [[femoral vein]] | Artery = [[popliteal artery]] | MeshName = Popliteal+Vein | MeshNumber = A07.231.908.641 | DorlandsPre = v_05 | DorlandsSuf = 12851366 | }} The '''popliteal vein''' course runs alongside the [[popliteal artery]] but carries the blood from the knee joint and muscles in the thigh and calf back to the heart. Its origin is defined by the junction of the [[posterior tibial vein]] and [[anterior tibial vein]]. It drains the [[peroneal vein]] before reaching the [[knee]] joint and turns into the [[femoral vein]] when leaving the [[adductor canal]] (also known as ''Hunter's canal''). The popliteal artery extends from the [[femoral artery]] behind the [[popliteal fossa]] which is the space behind the [[knee]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray582.png|The small saphenous vein. Popliteal vein is labeled at top. Image:Gray583.png|The popliteal vein. </gallery> ==External links== * {{GraySubject|157}} - "The Arteries of the Lower Extremity" * {{eMedicineDictionary|Popliteal+vein}} {{VeinsExtremities}} [[Category:Pelvic limb anatomy]] [[Category:Veins]] [[fr:Veine poplitée]] [[pl:Żyła podkolanowa]] [[pt:Veia poplítea]] [[th:หลอดเลือดดำขาพับ]]