title: Magnetic resonance study on the anatomical relationship between the posterior proximal region of the tibia and the popliteal artery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze and describe the distance from the popliteal artery to three specific areas of the proximal region of the tibia, with the knee extended, by means of magnetic resonance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Images of 100 knees of patients who underwent magnetic resonance examinations were analyzed. The location of the popliteal artery was measured in three different areas of the posterior proximal region of the tibia. The first measurement was made at the level of the knee joint (tibial plateau). The second was 9 mm distally to the tibial plateau. The third was at the level of the anterior tuberosity of the tibia (ATT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The distances between the popliteal artery and the tibial plateau and ATT region were significantly greater in males than in females. The distances between the popliteal artery and the regions 9 mm distally to the tibial plateau and the ATT were significantly greater in the age group over 36 years than in the group ≤36 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of the anatomical position of the popliteal artery, as demonstrated through magnetic resonance studies, is of great relevance in planning surgical procedures that involve the knee joint. In this manner, devastating iatrogenic injuries can be avoided, particularly in regions that are proximal to the tibial plateau and in young patients.
authors.affiliation: "Prof. Dr. Donato D'Ângelo" Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Santa Teresa, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rogério Franco
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: de Araujo Goes
authors.affiliation: "Prof. Dr. Donato D'Ângelo" Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Santa Teresa, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Augusto Cardoso
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: "Prof. Dr. Donato D'Ângelo" Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Santa Teresa, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriel Novaes Pillar
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: de Oliveira Castro
authors.affiliation: "Prof. Dr. Donato D'Ângelo" Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Santa Teresa, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabricio Bolpato
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Loures
authors.affiliation: Knee Group, Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia (INTO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Idemar Monteiro
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Da Palma
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kinder
authors.affiliation: "Prof. Dr. Donato D'Ângelo" Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Santa Teresa, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro José
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Labronici
keywords: Anatomy; Knee; Magnetic resonance; Popliteal artery