| Large blood vessels pass through the popliteal space behind the knee. |
| Other causes are trauma, iatrogenic injury, popliteal aneurysm, and aortic dissection. |
| Posteriorly, the head rises to a pointed apex that affords attachment for the arcuate popliteal ligament and, on the lateral side, part of the biceps tendon. |
| Athletes with hypertrophied muscles may be prone to develop this problem if they have the underlying popliteal arterial anatomy. |
| Commonly used sites for catheterization include the basilic, cephalic, saphenous popliteal, external jugular, and temporal veins. |
| The popliteal is sometimes a continuation not of the femoral but of a sizable ischiadic artery. |
