Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
Variations in popliteal fossa venous anatomy: implications for diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis
Alicja Sadowska1, Jan Henryk Spodnik, Sławomir Wójcik
1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdansk, Poland. swoj@amg.gda.pl
Background:
To retrospectively review the bilateral venous system within the popliteal fossa to evaluate the types of variations and their frequency seen in venous anatomy.
Materials And Methods:
During routine dissection of formalin-fixed cadavers, a retrospective review of 32 bilateral (64 limbs) lower limbs obtained from adult donors was performed. Deep veins present in the popliteal fossa were evaluated according to predetermined criteria for the presence of duplication of vessels and interindividual variations in venous anatomy.
Results:
More than one deep venous vessel was seen in the popliteal fossa in 20 (31.3%) of 64 limbs. In 12 (18.7%) cases there was a high (just below the level of the adductor hiatus) origin of the popliteal vein: from 2 tributaries in 10 (15.6%) and 3 tributaries in 2 (3.1%). In 5 (7.8%) cases true duplicated popliteal veins were observed. There were also 3 (4.7%) cases, including one bilateral, of persistent sciatic vein.
Conclusions:
Variations in popliteal fossa venous anatomy are common and have important implications for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Veins of Lower Limbs
Formed by the union of the medial and lateral plantar veins, the posterior tibial vein, rising through the calf muscle, assimilates the fibular vein. The anterior tibial vein, a superior extension of the foot's dorsalis pedis vein, merges with the posterior tibial vein at the knee,...
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Varicose Veins I: Introduction

