What structures are found in the popliteal fossa?
The popliteal fossa contains the small saphenous vein; the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh; the sciatic nerve, which divides into the tibial and common fibular nerves at the superior border; the popliteal arteries and veins along with their branches and tributaries; and the popliteal lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels.
What is the popliteal fascia?
The popliteal fascia is continuous with the fascia lata of the leg. Fig 1 – The borders of the popliteal fossa are formed by the muscles of the thigh and leg. The popliteal fossa is the main conduit for neurovascular structures entering and leaving the leg. Its contents are (medial to lateral):
What are the superficial nerves in the popliteal?
The Popliteal vein: It is superficial to the and travels with the Popliteal artery. The Tibia nerve and common Fibular nerve: These are the two major branches of the Sciatic nerve. They are the most superficial of the neurovascular structures in the Popliteal fossa. They appear under the margin of the Biceps Femoris muscles.
What is the function of the popliteal muscle?
Function. The Popliteal muscle has a very important role to play in the initial stages of knee flexion by laterally rotating the femur on the tibia to unlock the knee when the foot is on the floor e.g. standing. This movement allows the femoral condyle to glide forwards, releasing the ligaments and muscles from the knee’s close packed,...
What structures make up the popliteal fossa?
The floor of the fossa is formed by the Popliteal surface of the Femur, the capsule of the Knee reinforced by the oblique Popliteal ligament and, the Popliteus muscle covered by its Fascia.
What structures are found in the superficial fascia covering the popliteal fossa?
the superficial fascia. This contains the small saphenous vein, the terminal branch of the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, posterior division of the medial cutaneous nerve, lateral sural cutaneous nerve, and medial sural cutaneous nerve.
What is the popliteal fossa function?
The popliteal fossa or the “knee pit” is a diamond-shaped, fat-filled, shallow depression on the posterior aspect of the knee joint. The knee is classified as a synovial hinge joint, which primarily allows for flexion and extension with a more limited degree of translation and rotation.
What can be palpated at the popliteal fossa?
The posterior aspects of medial and lateral femoral condyles can be palpated just under the gastrocnemii, the insertion of which is more proximally on the condyles. The tibial nerve is located in the centre of the lozenge and divides it in two. The tibial vein and the tibial artery are located medial to it.
How do you remember the contents of popliteal fossa?
1:044:06The Popliteal Fossa under 5 mins! - Anatomy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if you don't know now you know great job it's pretty much complete now let's label we'll use theMoreAnd if you don't know now you know great job it's pretty much complete now let's label we'll use the mnemonic. Serve-and-volley. Next ball this mnemonic will cover the borders and the contents of the
What causes pain in the popliteal fossa?
Popliteal fossa pain is developed by a wide variety of causes. The most common causes are Baker's cyst, soft tissue or bone tumor and injury to the meniscus, hamstring, popliteal tendon or ligament.
What causes swelling in the popliteal fossa?
A Baker's, or popliteal, cyst is a painful swelling that develops behind the knee. It is filled with fluid. It happens when inflammation and swelling affects the tissue behind the knee joint. It often results from gout or arthritis.
What are the two things on the back of your knee?
Hamstring: The prominent tendons at the back of the knee. They are the sidewalls of the hollow behind the knee. (This hollow is called the popliteal space). Both hamstrings connect to muscles that flex the knee.
Which nerve is found within the popliteal fossa?
Tibial Nerve It is superficial to the popliteal vessels and travels laterally to medially from the superior angle to the inferior angle of the popliteal fossa, respectively. The tibial nerve contains muscular, articular, and cutaneous branches.
Where is the popliteal surface?
The popliteal surface is located on the caudodistal part of body of femur: it is smooth triangular area bounded laterally by the continuation of the medial and lateral lips of facies aspera, and distally by the intercondylar line.
Where is the popliteus muscle located?
kneeThe Popliteus is a small, thin, flat, triangular shaped musclotendinous complex of the lower leg with the popliteus muscle and the popliteofibular ligament and constitutes a part of the posterolateral corner of the knee.. It is a deep muscle of the knee joint, forming the floor of the popliteus fossa.
Borders
The popliteal fossa is diamond shaped with four borders. These borders are formed by the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg and thigh:
Clinical Relevance: Swelling in the Popliteal Fossa
The appearance of a mass in the popliteal fossa has many differential diagnoses. The two major causes are baker’s cyst and aneurysm of the popliteal artery.
Description
The Popliteal Fossa is a diamond-shaped space behind the knee joint. It is formed between the muscles in the posterior compartments of the thigh and leg. This anatomical landmark is the major route by which structures pass between the thigh and leg .
Boundaries
The Biceps Femoris tendon (superolateral) and Semimembranosus reinforced by Semitendinosus (superomedial). The medial and lateral heads of Gastrocnemius form the inferomedial and inferolateral boundaries, respectively .
Floor
The floor of the fossa is formed by the Popliteal surface of the Femur, the capsule of the Knee reinforced by the oblique Popliteal ligament and, the Popliteus muscle covered by its Fascia.
Roof
The roof of the Popliteal fossa is covered by the Fascia Lata which is strongly reinforced by the transverse fibers. Thus, the roof is pierced by the small Saphenous vein and the posterior Femoral cutaneous nerve .
Fluid draining
Your doctor will insert a needle into the knee joint and may use an ultrasound to help guide the needle to the correct place. They’ll then draw the fluid from the joint.
Physical therapy
Regular, gentle exercises may help increase your range of motion and strengthen the muscles around your knee. Crutches may help alleviate the pain. You can also help reduce pain by using a compression wrap or placing ice on the joint.
Medication
Your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid medication, such as cortisone. Your doctor will inject this drug into the joint, and the medication will flow back into the cyst. Though it may help relieve the pain, it doesn’t always prevent a popliteal cyst from recurring.
Overview
Insertion: posterior surface of the tibia, above the soleal/popliteal line
Location
Popliteus arises from the outer surface of the lateral femoral condyle, from within the joint capsule, below the lateral epicondyle and the superior attachment of the lateral collateral ligament.
Function
The Popliteal muscle has a very important role to play in the initial stages of knee flexion by laterally rotating the femur on the tibia to unlock the knee when the foot is on the floor e.g. standing.
Popliteus injury symptoms
The main symptom of a Popliteus strain is pain at the back of the knee joint.
What is a Popliteus injury?
The Popliteus muscle is responsible for internal rotation of the shin bone. It is also the muscle used when you unlock (begin to bend) your knee from a straight position. Injury of the popliteus muscle can be either from an acute injury or through overuse.
Treatment of popliteus injuries
Rest from aggravating activities. Complete rest may not be necessary but avoiding anything that causes pain or makes the injury worse should be avoided.
Medications
NSAIDs ( non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – medications with analgesic (pain-reducing) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) effects can be useful in treating Baker’s cysts.
Further treatment
In most cases, if there is an underlying cause, the doctor will treat the cause rather than the cyst itself. If the swelling is particularly large and painful, further treatment may be required:
Description
- The Popliteal Fossa is a diamond-shaped space behind the knee joint. It is formed between the muscles in the posterior compartments of the thigh and leg. This anatomical landmark is the major route by which structures pass between the thigh and leg.
Boundaries
- Its boundaries are: The Biceps Femoris tendon (superolateral) and Semimembranosus reinforced by Semitendinosus (superomedial). The medial and lateral heads of Gastrocnemius form the inferomedial and inferolateral boundaries, respectively.
Floor
- The floor of the fossa is formed by the Popliteal surface of the Femur, the capsule of the Knee reinforced by the oblique Popliteal ligament and, the Popliteus muscle covered by its Fascia.
Roof
- The roof of the Popliteal fossa is covered by the Fascia Lata which is strongly reinforced by the transverse fibers. Thus, the roof is pierced by the small Saphenous vein and the posterior Femoral cutaneous nerve.
Content
- The major content of the Popliteal fossa are: 1. The Popliteal Artery; This is the deepest of the neurovascular structures in the Popliteal fossa. It is a continuation of the Femoral artery and appears on the upper medial side under the margin of the Semimembranosusmuscle. 2. The Popliteal vein: It is superficial to the and travels with the Poplite...
Clinical Significance
- Baker's cyst
- Popliteal Pulse
- Popliteal Aneurysm
- Popliteal nerve block