Popliteal Fossa Flashcards
What passes through the popliteal fossa?
All important vessels and nerves from the thigh to the leg
What is the superolateral boundary of the popliteal fossa?
Biceps femoris
What is the superomedial boundary of the popliteal fossa?
Semimembranosus, with the semitendinosus tendon medial to this
What are the inferolateral and inferomedial boundaries of the popliteal fossa?
Lateral head of gastrocnemius and medial head of gastrocnemius
What forms the roof of the popliteal fossa?
Skin and popliteal fascia
What forms the floor of the popliteal fossa?
Popliteal surface of femur, posterior capsule of knee joint, and popliteus fascia covering the popliteus muscle
What are the contents of the popliteal fossa?
Popliteal artery and vein, tibial nerve, common fibular nerve, posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, termination of small saphenous vein, popliteal lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels, and fat
Which artery is the popliteal artery a continuation of?
Femoral artery
When does the femoral artery become the popliteal artery?
When it passes through the adductor hiatus
What is the significance of the genicular arteries?
Maintain blood supply to the leg during full knee flexion
Where is the popliteal vein formed?
Distal border of the popliteus as a continuation of the posterior tibial vein
What is the course of the small saphenous vein?
Posterior aspect of lateral malleolus to popliteal fossa where it pierces the deep popliteal fascia and enters the popliteal vein
Where does the sciatic nerve usually end?
Superior angle of popliteal fossa by dividing into tibial and common fibular nerves
Which division of the sciatic nerve is bigger?
Tibial nerve, it is also medial
Which nerve supplies the skin over the surface of the popliteal fossa?
Posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh
