A Combined Variation of the Arteries and The Nerve in a Leg

Authors: ZELİHA KURTOĞLU, M. HALUK ULUUTKU

Abstract: During the dissection of an amputed leg, we discovered a combined variation involving the branching of the popliteal artery and tibial nerve. The popliteal artery showed a trifurcation pattern, and one of its branches, the posterior tibial artery, was hypoplastic. In addition, a small branch arising from the tibial nerve in the upper part of the leg distally crossed the peroneal artery and contributed to the medial plantar nerve. In this article, such a case of embryonic origin is discussed, along with the clinical significance of these variations. The variant nerve and its relationship with the variant artery have not previously been described in the literature.

Keywords: 1. popliteal artery, 2. variation, 3. trifurcation pattern, 4. tibial nerve, 5. medial plantar nerve.

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