popliteal

adjective

pop·​li·​te·​al ˌpä-plə-ˈtē-əl How to pronounce popliteal (audio)
also
pä-ˈpli-tē-əl How to pronounce popliteal (audio)
: of or relating to the back part of the leg behind the knee joint

Examples of popliteal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The manner of Guild’s death was natural and the causes were pulmonary thromboembolus, a blood clot in the lung, and a thrombus in the left popliteal vein, a vein in the leg, according to the coroner. Matt Sledge, NOLA.com, 18 Oct. 2020 And so the Paralympian — who was born with popliteal pterygium syndrome and is a double above-knee amputee — took him up on the offer. Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE.com, 14 Aug. 2020 The popliteal artery is behind the knee, and is the one damaged. Profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, 30 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'popliteal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin popliteus, from Latin poplit-, poples knee joint, back of the knee

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of popliteal was in 1754

Dictionary Entries Near popliteal

Cite this Entry

“Popliteal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/popliteal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

popliteal

adjective
pop·​li·​te·​al
ˌpäp-lə-ˈtē-əl also päp-ˈlit-ē-
: of or relating to the back part of the leg behind the knee joint
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