Popliteal Fossa
Description
Name
- Popliteal Fossa
- Popliteal space
- Posterior knee fossa
- Posterior knee space
- Back of the knee (lay term)
General
- Diamond shaped area in the posterior aspect of the knee
- Transmits neurovascular structures from thigh to leg
Borders
- Superomedial: semimembranosus, semitendinosus
- Superolateral: biceps femoris
- Inferomedial: medial head of the gastrocnemius
- Inferolateral: lateral head of the gastrocnemius, plantaris
- Floor: Posterior surface of the knee joint capsule, popliteus muscle, posterior femur, oblique popliteal ligament
- Roof: popliteal fascia and skin
Contents
- Nerves: tibial nerve, common fibular nerve, sural, posterior femoral cutaneous
- Vessels: popliteal artery and vein, short saphenous vein
- Lymph nodes: superficial and deep popliteal lymph nodes
Clinical Significance
Pathology
- Bakers Cyst
- Popliteal Artery Aneurysm or Injury
- Tibial Nerve Injury
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)