The Popliteal Fossa
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