Overview
The popliteal vein is a deep vein that runs behind the knee.
Course
The Popliteal Vein is formed by the merging of the anterior and posterior tibial veins. It drains blood from the knee joint (the back of which is
known as the popliteal space) and the musculature inferior to the
knee. After it leaves the popliteal space and passes through the
adductor magnus, it becomes the femoral vein.
Etymology
The word popliteal refers to the fossa or space behind the knee,
along with the vein, artery, and lymph node found within. The origin of
the word Popliteal is the Latin poples, or knee.
Sources:
Gray, Henry. Gray's Anatomy. Crown Publishers, 1977
Marieb, Elaine N. Human Anatomy and Physiology. Sixth Edition. Pearson
popliteal. (2008). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved October 29, 2008, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/popliteal