Variations of the circumflex fibular artery

Abstract

The circumflex fibular artery is described in anatomy textbooks as frequently branching from the posterior tibial artery, or alternatively, from anterior tibial or, less frequently, the popliteal artery. The purpose of this study was to examine the variation incidence of the branching pattern of the circumflex fibular artery due to a dearth of studies in this area. Our study examined 82 lower extremities used over six years in our lower limb anatomy course. The anterior tibial artery was the most frequent source of the circumflex fibular artery (n=33; 40%) followed by the posterior tibial artery (n=26; 32%) and popliteal artery (n=19; 23%). Infrequently, it was observed stemming from the fibular artery (n=3; 4%). In one instance (1%), the circumflex fibular artery issued from the lateral inferior genicular artery. In summary, the study confirmed the three most frequent sources of the circumflex fibular artery (i.e., anterior and posterior tibial and popliteal arteries) though the incidence was greatest in the anterior tibial artery. Moreover, the fibular and lateral inferior genicular arteries may infrequently issue the circumflex fibular artery. Supported by the Anatomy Department, Des Moines University