ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -The popliteal arteries branch from the femoral arteries in your legs to deliver blood to your knees and lower legs. They run behind your kneecap, where you can feel the popliteal pulse.

Detailed explanation-2: -The popliteal fossa is a diamond-shaped space located posterior to the knee joint. It allows for the passage of critical neurovascular structures. These structures, from medial to lateral, are the popliteal artery, popliteal vein, tibial nerve, and common peroneal nerve.

Detailed explanation-3: -The popliteal pulse is named after your popliteal artery. This is an important blood vessel that carries blood down through your leg to your feet. So the location of your popliteal pulse is behind your knee.

Detailed explanation-4: -The abnormal calf muscle presses on the main artery behind the knee (popliteal artery), reducing blood flow to the lower leg. The lack of blood flow results in pain and cramping in the back of the lower leg during times of activity.