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Arise from the popliteal artery, and surround the tibiofemoral articulation. Although of a small size, they are important, as they furnish blood to the lower extremity after the operation for popliteal aneurism. They are distinguished into superior and inferior. The superior articular arteries, popliteal articular arteries, are commonly three in number; one of which is internal, another external, and another middle, the azygous articular. The first, Ramus anastomoticus magnus, anastomoses by one branch with the external circumflex, and by another with the external superior articular. The second anastomoses with the external circumflex, the superior internal articular, and the inferior external articular; and the third is distributed within the joint. The inferior articular arteries are two in number: an internal and external. The former anastomoses with the internal superior articular and the external inferior articular. The latter anastomoses with the recurrent branch of the anterior tibial, and the external superior articular. To each articular artery there is an articular nerve.