9 - Popliteal Fossa

Question 1

Where is the popliteal fossa found? What does it look like?

Answer 1

Diamon shaped area on posterior side of knee

Question 2

What is the significance of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 2

It is the main path in which structures move from the thigh to the leg.

Question 3

What compartments make up popliteal fossa?

Answer 3

Posterior compartments of leg and thigh

Question 4

What makes up the superior and medial border of the polipteal fossa? (purple)

Answer 4

Semimembranosus

Question 5

What makes up the Superior and lateral border (green)

Answer 5

Biceps femoris

Question 6

What makes up the Inferior and medial border(brown)

Answer 6

Medial head of the gastrocnemius.

Question 7

What makes up the inferior and lateral border? (tan colour)

Answer 7

Lateral head of the gastrocnemius and plantaris.

Question 8

wWhat makes up the floor of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 8

posterior surface of the knee joint capsule, and by the posterior surface of the femur

Question 9

What is the roof of the popliteal fossa made up of?

Answer 9

popliteal fascia and skin

Question 10

What is the popliteal fascia continuous with?

Answer 10

Fascia lata of the leg

Question 11

What are the contents of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 11

AV NODE (medial to lateral)Popliteal arteryPopliteal veinSmall saphenous veinTibial nerveCommon fibular nerve

Question 12

What are the most superficial contents of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 12

tibial and common fibular nerves

Question 13

What are the tibial and common fibular nerves branches of?

Answer 13

Sciatic nerve

Question 14

What does the small saphenous vein do?

Answer 14

Pierces the popliteal fascia of the popliteal fossa to enter the diamond and empty into the popliteal vein

Question 15

What is the deepest structure in the popliteal fossa?

Answer 15

Popliteal artery

Question 16

What is the popliteal artery a continuation of

Answer 16

Femoral artery

Question 17

What is an aneurysm?

Answer 17

a dilation of an artery, which is greater than 50% of the normal diameter

Question 18

What occurs in an aneurysm of the popliteal artery?

Answer 18

Dilation of artery of >50% normal diameterPopliteal fascia is tough and non extensible and so aneurysm compresses contents of the fossa - notably the tibial nerve

Question 19

What will damage to the tibial nerve present as

Answer 19

Leg anesthesia or loss of leg motor function

Question 20

What can an aneurysm of the popliteal be detected by?

Answer 20

An obvious palpable pulsation in the popliteal fossa, with abnormal arterial sounds.