Neurovasculature of the leg and knee (posterior view) (English)

Posterior leg and popliteal fossa, with the popliteal artery and genicular anastomosis supplying the knee joint and related structures. Arterial blood to the posterior leg is provided by the posterior tibial artery, a continuation of the popliteal artery which gives off the fibular artery as it descends. It enters the foot by passing posterior to the medial malleolus, after which it terminates as the medial and lateral plantar arteries.Accompanying the posterior tibial artery is the tibial nerve. This large terminal branch of the sciatic nerve descends the popliteal fossa and passes into the posterior leg to sit deep to the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, supplying all the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg. The tibial nerve then travels just posterior to the medial malleolus to terminate in the foot as plantar nerves. The great and small saphenous veins ascend the posteromedial and lateral aspects, respectively, these work alongside the deep and centrally located posterior tibial veins to drain venous blood from the leg.