Popliteal Fossa

Question 1

What is the popliteal fossa?

Answer 1

A diamond shaped area

Question 2

Where is the popliteal fossa found?

Answer 2

On the posterior side of the knee

Question 3

What is the significance of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What are the borders of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 4

Superiomedial
Superiolateral
Inferiomedial
Inferiolateral

Question 5

What forms the superiomedial border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 5

Semimembranosus

Question 6

What forms the superiolateral border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 6

Biceps femoris

Question 7

What forms the inferiomedial border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 7

Medial head of the gastrocnemius

Question 8

What forms the inferiolateral border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 8

Lateral head of the gastrocnemius and plantaris

Question 9

What forms the floor of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What forms the roof of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 10

Made up of two layers, the popliteal fascia and skin

Question 11

What is the popliteal fascia continuous with?

Answer 11

The fascia lata of the leg

Question 12

What is the function of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 12

It is the main conduit for neurovascular structures entering and leaving the leg

Question 13

What is the contents of the popliteal fossa (medial to lateral)?

Answer 13

Popliteal artery
Popliteal vein
Tibial nerve
Common fibular nerve

Question 14

What are the most superficial of the contents of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 14

Tibial and common fibular nerves

Question 15

What are the tibial and common fibular nerves branches of?

Answer 15

The sciatic nerve

Question 16

What does the common fibular nerve follow?

Answer 16

The biceps femoris tendon, running along the lateral margin of the popliteal fossa

Question 17

What pierces the popliteal fascia?

Answer 17

The small saphenous vein

Question 18

What does the small saphenous vein do once its entered the popliteal fossa?

Answer 18

Empties into the popliteal vein

Question 19

What is the deepest structure in the popliteal fossa?

Answer 19

The popliteal artery

Question 20

What is the popliteal artery?

Answer 20

A continuation of the femoral artery

Question 21

What does the popliteal artery do?

Answer 21

Travels into the leg to supply it with blood

Question 22

What are the major causes of a mass in the popliteal fossa?

Answer 22

Baker’s cyst

Aneurysm of the popliteal artery

Question 23

What does a baker’s cyst refer to?

Answer 23

The inflammation and swelling of the semimembranosus bursa

Question 24

What is the semimembranosus bursa?

Answer 24

A fluid filled sac found in the knee joint

Question 25

What does a baker’s cyst usually arise in conjunction with?

Answer 25

Arthritis of the knee (rhuematoid or osteoarthritis)

Question 26

What can happen to a baker’s cyst?

Answer 26

Usually self-resolves  | Can rupture

Question 27

What is produced when a baker’s cyst ruptures?

Answer 27

Symptoms similar to DVT

Question 28

What is an aneurysm?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Why does a popliteal aneurysm have consequences for the other contents of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 29

The popliteal fascial layer is tough and non-extensible

Question 30

What is particularly susceptible to compression from the popliteal artery?

Answer 30

The tibial nerve

Question 31

What will damage to the tibial nerve present as?

Answer 31

Leg anesthesia  | Loss of leg motor function

Question 32

How can an aneurysm of the popliteal artery be detected?

Answer 32

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

Question 33

What are some rarer causes of a popliteal mass?

Answer 33

Deep vein thrombosis  Adventital cyst of the popliteal artery  Various neoplasms, such as rhabdomyosarcoma