Inferior Lateral Genicular Artery, Anterior View

Description

Arising from the popliteal artery near the level of the tibial plateau, the inferior lateral genicular artery courses anteriorly and laterally across the proximal tibia, hugging the lateral aspect of the knee joint capsule. From an anterior perspective, it runs deep to the iliotibial tract and biceps femoris tendon region and approaches the fibular head laterally, while remaining inferior to the lateral femoral condyle and adjacent to the lateral meniscal margin. Small articular branches radiate medially and superiorly into the perigenicular arterial ring, where they meet contributions from the superior lateral genicular and the anterior tibial recurrent vessels. Fine arteriolar and venous companions frame the arterial path. For surgical anatomy, the inferior lateral genicular artery matters because it supplies the lateral capsule, infrapatellar fat pad region, and adjacent periosteum, and it can be encountered during lateral approaches to the proximal tibia and procedures around the fibular head. Injury or ligation can compromise local soft tissue perfusion and contribute to delayed wound healing, a concern in open reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures and during lateral meniscal repair. Clear delineation of its anastomoses also supports teaching of collateral flow around the knee when popliteal artery continuity is reduced, such as after trauma or in peripheral arterial disease. A small vessel with outsized consequences. Common use cases include undergraduate and graduate musculoskeletal anatomy courses, orthopedic surgical atlases illustrating the lateral knee exposure, and radiology or interventional references correlating genicular artery anatomy with genicular artery embolization targets for knee osteoarthritis pain. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.