This artery (A. poplitea) is the direct continuation of the femoral. It
lies between the two heads of the gastrocnemius, at first on the
posterior face of the femur, then on the femoro-tibial joint capsule. It
then passes down through the popliteal notch under cover of the
popliteus, inclines outward, and divides near the upper part of the
interosseous space into anterior and posterior tibial arteries. The
satellite vein lies along its inner side. Collateral branches are
supplied to the stifle joint and the gastrocnemius and popliteus.