Atlas of Human Anatomy in Cross Section: Section 7. Lower Limb

Plate 7.7

Ronald A. Bergman, Ph.D., Adel K. Afifi, M.D., Jean J. Jew, M.D., and Paul C. Reimann, B.S.
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This is the first section in the knee region. The suprapatellar bursa (23), which is continuous with the articular cavity (knee Joint), is seen. The femur (24) is cut in the supracondylar region. The vastus intermedius and articularis genu muscles are no longer present, but parts of vastus lateralis can be seen (21). Vastus medialis (3) is the largest muscle mass at this level, followed by biceps femoris (17). Note that semitendinosus (12) and gracilis are entirely tendinous.

The common peroneal (16) and tibial (15) nerves are seen closely associated with, and located between, biceps femoris (17) and the popliteal artery and vein (13).

Important elements of the blood supply of the knee Joint can be seen in this section. These arterial vessels are the superior lateral genicular (122); lateral femoral circumflex, descending branch (20); descending genicular, saphenous branch (9); superior medial genicular (2, 5); and the descending genicular, musculoarticular branch (4).

The deep articular plexus, around the knee joint, is formed by two medial and two lateral genicular branches of the popliteal, the descending genicular, the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex, the anterior and posterior tibial recurrent, the circumflex fibular, and the medial inferior genicular arteries.

The vastus lateralis (2 1), at this level, is supplied by the lateral femoral circumflex artery, descending branch (20); the vastus medialis (3) by the descending genicular artery, musculoarticular branch (4); and the sartorius (7) by the descending genicular artery, saphenous branch (9).

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