Popliteus

Description

Attachments and course of the popliteus. (a) Drawing of the knee (posterior view) shows the origin (blue) and tendinous insertion (red) of the popliteus. (b) Drawing of the lateral aspect of the lateral femoral condyle shows the relation of the tendinous attachments of the popliteus (red), fibular collateral ligament (white), and lateral head of the gastrocnemius (orange). (c) Posterior drawing of the knee shows the course of the popliteus musculotendinous unit in relation to the fibular collateral ligament (arrowhead) and biceps femoris (partially resected). Green = fibula.

Name

• Popliteus
• Popliteus Musculotendinous Complex
• Popliteus Complex

General

• "Cork screw" muscle helps unlock the knee
• Forms the floor of the popliteal fossa
• Located within the deep posterior compartment of the leg

Origin

• Lateral condyle of the Femur
• Lateral meniscus (posterior horn)
• Inferior to the fibular collateral ligament (FCL)

Insertion

• Proximal posteromedial surface of Tibia

Actions

• Open chain: popliteus serves to rotate the tibia concentrically internally on the femur
• Closed chain: acts eccentrically during external rotation of the femur on the tibia
• Unlocks knee joint
• Stabilizes knee

Vascular Supply

• Posterior Tibial Recurrent Artery
• Posterior Tibial Artery
• Popliteal Artery
• Inferior Medial and Lateral Genicular Arteries
• Nutrient Artery of Tibia

Innervation

• Tibial Nerve

Popliteus Musculotendinous Complex

• Includes
  • Popliteus musculotendinous unit
  • Popliteofibular Ligament

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Clinical Significance

• ACL Injury
• Popliteus Tendinopathy
• Total Knee Arthroplasty

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See Also

• Physical Exam Thigh
• Thigh Anatomy (Main)
• Thigh Pain (Main)

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