popliteal

Etymology

From Late Latin popliteus (from Latin poples (“ham, knee”)) + -al.

adj

1. (anatomy) Of or pertaining to the popliteus (the area behind the knee).
   On removing a quantity of fat which separates the popliteal nerve from the vein and artery, these will be exposed lying in direct contact, the vein being posterior or superficial to the artery and a little to its outer side at the upper part of the space. 1839, John Steggall, Malcolm William Hilles, A Manual for the College of Surgeons in London, Dublin, and Edinburgh, page 433
   The popliteal entrapment syndrome is a developmental disorder resulting in an anomalous relationship between the popliteal artery and muscle structures in the popliteal fossa. 2006, Gregory J. Landry, edited by Gerald B. Zelenock, Mastery of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 53: Treatment of Nonatherosclerotic Causes of Infrainguinal Arterial Occlusive Disease, page 443
   The popliteal artery is exposed through an incision that parallels the anterior border of the sartorius muscle and passes just posterior to the medial condyle. 2009, Carol E. H. Scott-Conner, Operative Anatomy, page 758