The Popliteal Fossa

The Popliteal Fossa is a diamond-shaped intermuscular area

found on the posterior aspect of the knee joint

Boundaries of the Popliteal Fossa

Boundaries of the Popliteal Fossa

Upper Medial Boundary

Comprises two muscles •Semimembranosus

•Semitendinosus

Boundaries of the Popliteal Fossa

Upper Medial Boundary

•Semimembranosus

Posterior view, right thigh and knee

Boundaries of the Popliteal Fossa

Upper Medial Boundary

•Semitendinosus

Posterior view, right thigh and knee

Proximal Thigh

Semimembranosus

Knee joint line

Cadaver specimen of posterior thigh

Upper Medial Border

Posterior view, right thigh and knee

Proximal Thigh

Semitendinosus

Cadaver specimen of posterior thigh

Upper Medial Border

Knee joint line

Posterior view, right thigh and knee

Boundaries of the Popliteal Fossa

Upper Lateral Boundary

Tendon of Biceps Femoris

Boundaries of the Popliteal Fossa

Upper Lateral Boundary

Tendon of Biceps Femoris

Posterior view, right thigh

Biceps Femoris

Cadaver specimen of posterior thigh

Upper Lateral Border

Posterior view, right thigh

The upper angle of the Popliteal Fossa is where

Biceps Femoris meets Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus

Posterior view, right thigh

Boundaries of the Popliteal Fossa

Lower Lateral Boundary

Lateral Head of Gastrocnemius

Lateral Head Gastrocnemius

Posterior view, right thigh and knee

Boundaries of the Popliteal Fossa

Lower Medial Boundary

Medial Head of Gastrocnemius

Medial Head of Gastrocnemius

Posterior view, right thigh and knee

Lateral Head Gastrocnemius Medial Head of Gastrocnemius

Distal or Inferior angle of Popliteal Fossa

Gastrocnemius arises by two heads:One from the Medial Femoral Condyle

and one from the Lateral FemoralCondyle

Distally the two heads converge to form the Distal or Inferior angle of the

Popliteal Fossa

Lateral Head Gastrocnemius Medial Head of Gastrocnemius

Distal or Inferior angle of Popliteal Fossa

Lateral Head of Gastrocnemius

Medial Head of Gastrocnemius

Cadaver specimen of posterior thigh

Lower Medial and Lateral Borders

Upper Medial Boundary

Lower Medial Boundary

Upper Lateral Boundary

Lower Lateral Boundary

Upper Medial BoundarySemitendinosus Semimembranosus

Upper Lateral BoundaryTendon of Biceps Femoris

Lower Medial BoundaryMedial Head of Gastrocnemius

Lower Lateral BoundaryLateral Head of Gastrocnemius

Upper Medial Boundary

Lower Medial Boundary

Upper Lateral Boundary

Lower Lateral Boundary

The roof of the Popliteal Fossa is a fibrous structure called the Popliteal Fascia

The popliteal fascia is continuous

•Proximally with the deep fascia of the thigh – Fascia Lata

•Distally with the deep fascia of the leg - Crural Fascia

Contents of the Popliteal Fossa

From Superficial to Deep are

•Sciatic Nerve

•Popliteal Vein

•Popliteal Artery

Tibial Component of Sciatic Nerve

The Sciatic Nerve divides into two terminal branches near the

Upper Angle of the Popliteal Fossa

Biceps Femoris

Semimembranosus

Medial Head Gastrocnemius Lateral Head

Gastrocnemius

Common Peroneal Component of Sciatic Nerve

The Sciatic Nerve divides into two terminal branches near the

Upper Angle of the Popliteal Fossa

Biceps Femoris

Semimembranosus

Medial Head Gastrocnemius Lateral Head

Gastrocnemius

Popliteal Vein

The Popliteal Vein changes name to the Femoral Vein at the

Adductor Hiatus

Popliteal Vein

The Popliteal Vein changes name to the Femoral Vein at the

Adductor Hiatus

It receives numerous tributaries but in the context of

varicose vein disease the Short Saphenous Vein is particularly important

The Popliteal Artery lies in front of the Popliteal Vein and immediately behind

the capsule of the Knee Joint

The Popliteal Artery lies in front of the Popliteal Vein and immediately behind

the capsule of the Knee Joint

The Popliteal Artery lies in front of the Popliteal Vein and immediately behind

the capsule of the Knee Joint

In the distal part of the

popliteal fossa the

Popliteal Artery divides into

its two terminal branches

•Anterior Tibial Artery•Posterior Tibial Artery

Summary of Muscles

SemimembranosusOrigin Superior lateral quadrant of

posterior surface ischial tuberosity

Insertion Posterior surface of the medial tibial condyle. Sends fascial extension over popliteus, and gives rise to oblique popliteal ligament

Action Extends hip, flexes and medially rotates the knee

Nerve Supply Tibial component of sciatic nerve (L5, S1)

Blood Supply Perforating branches of profunda femoris artery, inferior gluteal artery, and the superior muscular branches of popliteal artery

Posterior thigh

SemitendinosusOrigin Superior medial quadrant,

posterior surface ischial tuberosity

Insertion Superior part, medial tibial shaft

Action Extends hip, flexes and medially rotates knee

Nerve Supply Tibial component of sciatic nerve (L5, S1)

Blood Supply Perforating branches of profunda femoris artery, inferior gluteal artery, superior muscular branches of popliteal artery

Posterior thigh

Posterior ThighBiceps Femoris

Origin Long Head: Superior medial quadrant of the posterior surface of the ischial tuberosityShort Head: Middle third linea aspera, lateral supracondylar ridge of femur

Insertion Fibular head, with extensions to lateral collateral ligament and lateral tibial condyle

Action Flexes the knee, rotates tibia laterally, extends the hip joint

Nerve Supply Long head: tibial component of sciatic nerve, Short head: common peroneal component of sciatic nerve (L5, S1)

Blood Supply Perforating branches of profunda femoris artery, inferior gluteal artery, superior muscular branches of popliteal artery

GastrocnemiusOrigin Medial head: posterior surface of

medial femoral condyleLateral head: posterior surface of lateral femoral condyle

Insertion The two heads unite and with soleus form the Achilles tendon, which inserts onto the posterior and upper surface of calcaneum

Action Powerful plantar flexor of ankle

Nerve Supply Tibial nerve ( S1, S2)

Blood Supply Sural branches of the popliteal artery

Posterior Leg