Genicular arteries

Genicular artery (from Latin geniculum, "knee") may refer to one of six arteries in the human leg, most of which anastomoses in the knee region.

The descending genicular artery is the only genicular artery to arise from the femoral artery and has the most superior or proximal origin of all six genicular arteries.

Inferior or distal to the origin of the descending genicular artery are two superior genicular arteries, both arising from the popliteal artery:

• Superior medial genicular artery
• Superior lateral genicular artery

The middle genicular artery is a small branch of the popliteal artery that originates inferior or distal to both the superior genicular arteries as well as the sural arteries.

Inferior or distal to the origins of the superior and middle genicular arteries are the two inferior genicular arteries:

• Inferior medial genicular artery
• Inferior lateral genicular artery