The popliteal artery (PA) is located in the popliteal fossa. It enters the posterior compartment of the leg between the gastrocnemius and popliteus muscles (Bergman et al., 2017, Moore et al., 2013). It begins where the femoral artery passes through the adductor hiatus and terminates as two terminal branches, the anterior (ATA) and posterior (PTA) tibial arteries (Moore et al., 2013). The PA also creates a genicular anastomosis consisting of five arteries: the superior lateral genicular, superior medial genicular, inferior lateral genicular, inferior medial genicular and middle genicular (Moore et al., 2013). This anastomosis supplies blood especially to the knee joint and ligaments (Kim et al., 2006a). It is also important because it provides a peripheral blood supply when the knee is fully flexed, potentially constricting the PA.

The PA is a major supplier to the posterior leg muscles, the gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris and tibialis posterior (Moore et al., 2013). Functional disorders of the PA are associated with various diseases, the most common being popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA), atherosclerosis and trauma (Ghotbi and Deilmann, 2013). Untreated PAA cause reduced blood flow and ischemia of leg muscles, which can lead to serious life-threating conditions and can entail amputation of the limb (Cervin et al., 2018, Cervin et al., 2015a, Cvetković et al., 2014, Ghotbi and Deilmann, 2013, Runge et al., 2020). Rarer diseases such as popliteal artery entrapment syndrome also require surgical treatment(Grimm et al., 2020). It is therefore important, especially for radiologists and surgeons, to be aware of possible morphological variations of the PA in planning operations so that the risk of complications is reduced (Kil and Jung, 2009a, Kim et al., 1989, Lamprecht et al., 2021, Loukas et al., 2007, Mavili et al., 2011, Wright et al., 2004).

The main aim of this review is to describe the morphological variability of PA by exploring different classifications. Another aim is to discuss related diseases and treatment methods as described in the available literature.