At the popliteal fossa, the popliteal artery lies in which relationship to the popliteal vein and the tibial nerve?

• A Nerve is deepest (anterior), artery is intermediate, vein is most superficial (posterior)
• B Vein is deepest, artery is intermediate, nerve is most superficial
• C Nerve and artery are at the same depth; vein is posterior
• D Artery is deepest (anterior), vein is intermediate, nerve is most superficial (posterior) ✓

Explanation

In the popliteal fossa, from deep (anterior) to superficial (posterior): popliteal artery (deepest, directly behind the knee joint capsule and femur), then popliteal vein, then tibial nerve (most superficial/posterior). This relationship — remembered as 'Nerve, Vein, Artery' from superficial to deep, or AVN deep-to-superficial — means the artery is the most difficult structure to access for surgical haemostasis and the most vulnerable to posterior knee dislocations. The common peroneal nerve is the most lateral structure in the fossa.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.