An aberrant deep muscle crossing popliteal fossa and concomitant popliteal vein variation. A review of the related muscle and venous variations

Abstract

Background: The knowledge about normal anatomy as well as possible variations of the popliteal fossa and its neuro-vascular structures are important for safe surgical dissection and precise imaging diagnostics. Methods: The muscular and vascular variations described here were observed during routine anatomical dissection of the left lower limb of a 62-year-old male cadaver. Results: Upon dissecting the deep structures within the lower part of the left posterior thigh compartment and popliteal fossa, an aberrant muscle was identified. It began proximally from the lateral intermuscular septum and the tendinous origin of biceps femoris short head. Coursing downward and medially, this unusual muscle crossed the adductor hiatus, passing between the popliteal artery and popliteal vein to finally insert onto the adductor tubercle of the femur. A variation of the deep venous system of the same lower limb was also observed. In this case, the popliteal vein did not enter the adductor canal, but continued superiorly on the posterior surface of the adductor magnus, and in the upper third of the thigh, it pierced the muscle fibers to join the deep femoral vein. Only small concomitant veins accompanied the femoral artery along the adductor canal. Conclusions: Despite being rarely found, some variant muscles of the posterior thigh might change the anatomy of the popliteal fossa and be related to unusual vascular anatomy.

Keywords

• Posterior thigh muscles
• Biceps femoris muscle
• Adductor magnus muscle
• Popliteal vein
• Persistent sciatic vein
• Human anatomical variation