Popliteal Fossa And Knee Flashcards
Superior border of popliteal fossa
Semimembranosus, semitendinosus medially
Biceps femoris laterally
Inferior border of popliteal fossa
Medial and lateral heads of grastrocnemius
Roof of popliteal fossa
Fascia Lata
Pierced by small saphenous vein and posterior femoral cutaneous nerve
Floor of popliteal fossa
Popliteal surface of femur, capsule of knee joint and popliteal ligament, popliteus and fascia
Contents of popliteal fossa
Popliteal artery and vein
Tibial nerve
Common peroneal (fibular) nerve
Popliteal lymph nodes
The 4 branches of the common peroneal nerve
- Sural communicating nerve - joins the sural nerve below gastrocnemius
- Lateral cutaneous nerve of the calf - supplies skin over the upper peroneal and extensor components
- Superior and inferior genicular nerves - travels with the arteries to supply the capsule of the knee and lateral ligament
- Recurrent genicular nerve - perforates tibialis anterior to supply the capsules of the superior tibiofibular joint and knee joint
What does the sciatic nerve divide into
Common peroneal nerve
Tibial nerve
Where does the common peroneal nerve run
Runs down laterally
Lies on the neck of fibula
Where does the tibial nerve run
Runs vertically down the fossa
Disappears between the head of gastrocnemius
What do the motor branches of the tibial nerve supply
All muscles arising in the popliteal fossa - plantaris, both heads of gastrocnemius, soleus, popliteus
Posterior compartment of the leg - flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, tibialis posterior and intrinsic muscles of the foot
What are the sensory branches of the tibial nerve
Sural nerve - runs lateral to small saphenous vein, inferior to lateral malleolis, supplies lateral foot
Medial calcaneal, medial and lateral plantar nerves - entire sprain of foot and posterior leg
The course of the popliteal artery
Extends from hiatus in adductor Magnus to fibrous arch in soleus
Enters fossa on medial side of femur
Deep and medial to sciatic nerve
Lateral to tibial nerve
Passes under fibrous arch in soleus
Divided into anterior and posterior tibial arteries
Origin of popliteus
Triangular area on posterior surface of tibia above the soleal line
Insertion of popliteus
Lateral surface of lateral condyle of femur and lateral meniscus
Nerve supply of popliteus
Branch of tibial nerve
Action of popliteus
Popliteus unlocks the knee joint from full extension at the commencement of flexion
What type of joint is the knee joint
Largest synovial joint
Modified hinge - small amount of rotation in flexed position
Bones involved in the knee
Medial and lateral femoral condyles
Medial and lateral tibial condyles
Patella
Knee capsule posterior margins/attachments
Proximal margins of femoral condyles and intercondylar fossa
Attachment to the lateral condyle is interrupted by an aperture for passage tendon
Posterior border runs anterior to the cruciate ligaments
Knee capsule medial margins
Articular margin of femur and tibia
Knee capsule lateral margins
Proximal to groove for popliteus tendon, surrounds head of the fibula
Knee capsule anterior margins/attachments
Capsular attachment on femur is deficient above the level of the patella
Permits the suprapatellar bursa to be in full communication with the joint
Attachments of medial collateral ligament
For medial femoral epicondyle to upper part of medial surface of tibia
What ligaments cross the medial collateral ligament
Sartorius, gracilis, semitendanosus
