Middle genicular artery

Looks like

A small branch from the front of the popliteal artery that pierces the back of the knee capsule.

What it does

Supplies the cruciate ligaments and the lining of the knee joint.

Keeping it well

Bleeding from it fills the knee with blood after a cruciate ligament tear; a knee that swells within hours of injury needs assessing.

Related conditions

• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Growing pains
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypothermia & frostbite
• Kawasaki disease
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Metabolic syndrome
• Orthostatic hypotension & POTS
• Peripheral artery disease
• Phaeochromocytoma & hyperaldosteronism
• Pre-eclampsia
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Restless legs syndrome
• Sepsis
• Shock (circulatory failure)
• Varicose veins
• Vasculitis (GCA & others)