Popliteal Fossa

Question 1

Boundaries of the popliteal fossa

Answer 1

Superior lateral- biceps femoris
Superior medial- semitendinosis and semimembranosus
Inferior lateral - lateral head of the gastrocnemius
Inferior medial - medial head of the gastrocnemius

Question 2

Roof and floor of popliteal fossa

Answer 2

Roof- fascia lata with the branches of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve, and the lesser saphenous vein

Floor- popliteal surface of the femur, capsule of the knee joint, oblique popliteal ligament

Question 3

Contents of the popliteal fossa

Answer 3

Tibial nerve
Common peroneal nerve
Popliteal vessels
Origins of the sural nerve

Question 4

Sural nerve

Answer 4

Cutaneous nerve to the posterior leg and lateral aspect of the dorsum of the foot

S1 S2

Peripheral nerve that is formed by the union of two smaller sensory nerves medial Sural cutaneous nerve and the lateral sural nerve

Question 5

Lateral sural cutaneous nerve is a branch off of

Answer 5

Common fibular nerve

Question 6

Medial sural cutaneous nerve

Answer 6

Branch off the tibia nerve

Question 7

What is the continuation of the femoral artery?

Answer 7

Popliteal artery

Question 8

Passage of popliteal artery

Answer 8

Passes through the popliteal fossa and divides at the inferior borders into the anterior tibial artery in the posterior tibial artery

Question 9

Anterior tibial artery

Answer 9

Supplies the anterior compartment of the leg

Question 10

Posterior tibial artery

Answer 10

Supplies the posterior compartment

gives rise to the peroneal artery, which supplies the posterior and lateral compartments of the leg

Question 11

Genicular anastomoses

Answer 11

Branches of the popliteal artery that surround the knee

Supply the knee capsule, patella, and surrounding bone

Superior, medial and lateral genicular arteries
inferior medial and lateral geniculate arteries

Question 12

Nerves of popliteal fossa

Answer 12

Sciatic nerve ends of the superior angle of the popliteal fossa and divides into two nerves

Tibial nerve
Common peroneal nerve

Question 13

Tibial nerve

Answer 13

Most superficial components of the popliteal fossa

Gives off several genicular branches for innervation of the knee joint

Descends to the posterior compartment of the leg to innervate the posterior musculature

Gives off the medial sural cutaneous nerve to help form the sural nerve

Question 14

What is the most superficial component of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 14

Tibial nerve

Question 15

Common peroneal nerve (fibular)

Answer 15

Leaves, popliteal fossa, passing superficially to the lateral head of the gastrocnemius

Passes over the posterior aspect of the head of the fibula

Divides into
superficial peroneal nerve supplies, innervation to the lateral compartment of the leg
deep peroneal nerve supplies, the anterior compartment of the leg

Common peroneal nerve gives off several genicular branches for innervation of the knee joint