Anatomy Of The Popliteus Muscle

Courtesy: Prof Nabil Ebrhaeim, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA

Popliteus muscle is one of the deep flexors of the knee. It is a thin triangular muscle with narrow tendinous origin and broad insertion at the posterior aspect of the knee joint.

ORIGIN

• Arise from the anterior part of the popliteal grove on the lateral surface of the condyle of the femur.

INSERTION

• Inserts into the posterior surface of the Tibia in a fan like fashion just above the Soleal line.

POSITION

• Muscle is located deep in the Popliteal fossa and it makes the floor of the popliteal fossa which is a shallow diamond shaped depression at the back of the knee.
• The tendon of the knee joint lies in the capsule of the knee joint entering beneath the lateral collateral ligament through a hiatus in the lateral meniscus.

INNERVATION

• Popliteus muscle is innervated by a branch of Tibial Nerve which is also a content of the popliteal fossa.

FUNCTION

• Internally rotates the Tibia relative to the Femur and unlock the knee joint during initiation of the Knee flexion.