Popliteal vein

The popliteal vein (Latin: vena poplitea) is a blood vessel of the leg that is formed by the union of the paired anterior tibial and posterior tibial veins. The popliteal vein collects venous blood from the knee joint, as well as the triceps surae and popliteus muscles.

The vein arises at the lower border of the popliteus muscle, ascends through the popliteal fossa and passes through the adductor canal, where it becomes the femoral vein. The main tributaries of the popliteal vein are the following: small saphenous vein, muscular veins and veins corresponding to the branches of the popliteal artery.