Context: The venous system within the popliteal fossa is the main route for draining deoxygenated blood from the leg into the femoral vein. Understanding this system and its variations holds clinical relevance, particularly as it relates to imaging, diagnosis, treatment, and surgery.
Objective: The present study aims to review and describe diverse types of variations within the popliteal fossa venous system, calculate their frequency, and correlate their clinical relevance.
Materials and methods: Bilateral popliteal venous systems were dissected and analyzed in 30 adult embalmed anatomy lab cadavers. Due to ill-preserved venous structures during dissection, three limbs were excluded from this study, totaling the number of lower limbs studied to 57.
Results: Approximately 20% of lower limbs had an anatomical variation within the popliteal fossa venous system. The profunda femoris vein formed a direct connection to the popliteal vein in the popliteal fossa in approximately 9% of cases. Around 5% of lower limbs displayed popliteal vein duplication. The lateral circumflex femoral vein connected to the popliteal vein below the adductor hiatus in 4% of cases, and the popliteal artery coursed superficially to the popliteal vein in 2% of cases.
Conclusion: There are numerous variations in the lower extremity venous anatomy, and each has significant clinical consequences.
