The genicular anastomosis around the knee maintains collateral circulation when the popliteal artery is slowly occluded. One contributor, the descending genicular artery, arises directly from which parent vessel?
- A Femoral artery, just proximal to the adductor hiatus ✓
- B Anterior tibial artery
- C Profunda femoris artery
- D Peroneal artery
Correct answer: A. Femoral artery, just proximal to the adductor hiatus
Explanation
The descending genicular artery arises from the femoral artery shortly before it passes through the adductor hiatus, and descends within the vastus medialis to join the genicular anastomosis. The other contributors come from the popliteal artery itself (superior and inferior genicular branches), the profunda femoris via perforating and muscular branches, and the anterior tibial recurrent artery, but none gives off the descending genicular.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.