Popliteal Fossa Flashcards
What is the popliteal fossa?
A diamond shaped area
Where is the popliteal fossa found?
On the posterior side of the knee
What is the significance of the popliteal fossa?
It is the main path in which structures move from thigh to leg
What are the borders of the popliteal fossa?
Superiomedial
Superiolateral
Inferiomedial
Inferiolateral
What forms the superiomedial border of the popliteal fossa?
Semimembranosus
What forms the superiolateral border of the popliteal fossa?
Biceps femoris
What forms the inferiomedial border of the popliteal fossa?
Medial head of the gastrocnemius
What forms the inferiolateral border of the popliteal fossa?
Lateral head of the gastrocnemius and plantaris
What forms the floor of the popliteal fossa?
The posterior surface of the knee joint capsule, and the posterior surface of the femur
What forms the roof of the popliteal fossa?
Made up of two layers, the popliteal fascia and skin
What is the popliteal fascia continuous with?
The fascia lata of the leg
What is the function of the popliteal fossa?
It is the main conduit for neurovascular structures entering and leaving the leg
What is the contents of the popliteal fossa (medial to lateral)?
Popliteal artery
Popliteal vein
Tibial nerve
Common fibular nerve
What are the most superficial of the contents of the popliteal fossa?
Tibial and common fibular nerves
What are the tibial and common fibular nerves branches of?
The sciatic nerve
What does the common fibular nerve follow?
The biceps femoris tendon, running along the lateral margin of the popliteal fossa
What pierces the popliteal fascia?
The small saphenous vein
What does the small saphenous vein do once its entered the popliteal fossa?
Empties into the popliteal vein
What is the deepest structure in the popliteal fossa?
The popliteal artery
What is the popliteal artery?
A continuation of the femoral artery
What does the popliteal artery do?
Travels into the leg to supply it with blood
What are the major causes of a mass in the popliteal fossa?
Baker’s cyst
Aneurysm of the popliteal artery
What does a baker’s cyst refer to?
The inflammation and swelling of the semimembranosus bursa
What is the semimembranosus bursa?
A fluid filled sac found in the knee joint
What does a baker’s cyst usually arise in conjunction with?
Arthritis of the knee (rhuematoid or osteoarthritis)
What can happen to a baker’s cyst?
Usually self-resolves
Can rupture
What is produced when a baker’s cyst ruptures?
Symptoms similar to DVT
What is an aneurysm?
A dilation of an artery, which is greater than 50% of the normal diameter
Why does a popliteal aneurysm have consequences for the other contents of the popliteal fossa?
The popliteal fascial layer is tough and non-extensible
What is particularly susceptible to compression from the popliteal artery?
The tibial nerve
What will damage to the tibial nerve present as?
Leg anesthesia
Loss of leg motor function
How can an aneurysm of the popliteal artery be detected?
By obvious palpable pulsation in the popliteal fossa, with abnormal arterial sounds
What are some rarer causes of a popliteal mass?
Deep vein thrombosis
Adventital cyst of the popliteal artery
Various neoplasms, such as rhabdomyosarcoma
