Blood supply of the Anterior Cruciate ligament is by Middle Genicular Artery

AIPG 2008 Question 3

Blood supply of the Anterior Cruciate ligament is by

a.       Middle Genicular Artery

b.      Descending genicular Artery

c.       Anterior synovial artery

d.      Circumflex Fibular A 

Answer

A: Middle Genicular Artery

Reference

Gray’s Anatomy 38^th Edition Page 1570

QTDF:

Gray

Quality

Reader

Discussion

Arteries supplying the joint are the descending genicular branches of the femoral; superior, middle and inferior genicular branches of the popliteal; anterior and posterior recurrent branches of anterior tibial; the circumflex fibular artery and the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral.

Explanation

Middle Genicular Artery is a small artery which arises from the popliteal artery near the posterior centre of the knee joint; it pierces the oblique popliteal ligament to supply the cruciate ligaments and synovial membrane.

Comments

Genicular Anastomosis : Around the patella and femoral and tibial condyles an intricate anastomosis exists. A superficial network spreads between the fascia and skin around the patella and in the fat deep to the ligamentum patellae. A deep network lies on the femur and tibia near the adjoining articular surfaces, supplying the bone and marrow, the articular capsule and synovial membrane. The vessels involved are the medial and lateral genicular, descending genicular, the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral, circumflex fibular and the anterior and posterior tibial recurrent arteries.

Tips

Nerve Supply of the knee joint are the obturator, femoral, tibial and common peroneal nerves