Popliteal Fossa

Question 1

Anatomical location

Answer 1

Diamond shaped area on posterior side of knee

Question 2

Superiomedial border

Answer 2

Semimembranosus

Question 3

Superiolateral border

Answer 3

Biceps femoris

Question 4

Inferiomedial border

Answer 4

Medial head of gastrocnemius

Question 5

Inferiolateral border

Answer 5

Lateral head of gastrocnemius

Plantaris

Question 6

Floor

Answer 6

Posterior surface of knee joint capsule

Posterior surface of femur

Question 7

Roof

Answer 7

Popliteal fascia

Skin

Question 8

Contents

Answer 8

Popliteal artery (medial)
Popliteal vein
Tibial nerve
Common fibular nerve (lateral)

Question 9

Baker’s cyst

Answer 9

Inflammation and swelling of semimembranosus bursa
Usually in conjunction with arthritis
Usually self-resolves
Can rupture and produce symptoms similar to DVT

Question 10

Popliteal aneurysm

Answer 10

Dilation of an artery greater than 50% of normal diameter
Popliteal fascial layer is tough and non extensible
Aneurysm can compress tibial nerve presenting as leg anaesthesia or loss of motor function
Can be detected by an obvious palpable pulsation with abnormal arterial sounds

Question 11

Other causes of popliteal mass

Answer 11

DVT
Adventitial cyst of popliteal artery
Various neoplasms eg. rhabdomyosarcoma