10.1 Popliteal Fossa

Question 1

Identify the short (small) saphenous vein and describe its course

Answer 1

enters the popliteal fossa to terminate in the popliteal vein.

Question 2

Identify the borders of the Popliteal fossa:

Answer 2

Roof:Crural fascia
Inferior M/L: Medial and Lateral heads of the gastrocnemius
Superior M: Semimembranosus (tibial division of sciatic n)
Superior L: Long head of biceps femoris (tibial division of sciatic n).

Question 3

Identify Common fibular and tibial nerves and describe their course and roots.

Answer 3

Common fibular n: lateral termination of sciatic nerve (L4-S2)
Gives off Lateral aural cutaneous–> Sural communicating branch
Later branches into Superficial Fibular and Deep Fibular.

Tibial n: more medial termination of sciatic nerve (L4-S3)
Gives off medial aural cutaneous

Question 4

Identify the Sural nerve and Lateral sural cutaneous nerve.

Describe the course for each.

Answer 4

Sural: passes inferior between heads of gastrocs

Lateral Sural Cutaneous: lateral part of calf.

Question 5

Identify:
Popliteal artery
Medial and lateral superior genicular aa.
Medial and lateral inferior genicular aa.

Answer 5

Popliteal artery is continuation of femoral artery after the adductor hiatus.
Ends by dividing into Anterior tibial artery and Posterior Tibial artery (which gives of Fibular a. branch superiorly and Medial and Lateral plantar aa. at the foot).

The genicular arteries all anastomose in the knee.