Posterior Thigh And Popliteal Fossa

Question 1

Posterior Thigh Muscles

Answer 1

Hamstrings: Semitendinosus
Semimembranosus
Biceps femoris
Adductor Magnus: “Hamstring” Portion

Question 2

Hamstrings

Answer 2

O: ischial tuberosity, except short head of biceps femoris
I: different insertions
N: tibial division of sciatic N., except short head of biceps femoris (common fibular portion)
A: thigh extension, except short head of biceps femoris
Leg flexion

Question 3

Semitendinosus

Answer 3

Long, cordlike tendon that begins 2/3 of the way down thigh
O: Ischial tuberosity
I: medial surface of superior aspect of tibia (Pes Anserinus)
N: tibial division of sciatic N.
A: extend thigh, flex and medial rotation of leg

Question 4

Semimembranosus

Answer 4

O: Ischial tuberosity
I: Posterior part of medial condyle of tibia
N: Tibial division of sciatic N.
A: extend thigh, flex leg
Distal tendon divides into 2 parts:
Medial tibial condyle
Part blends with popliteal fascia and becomes oblique popliteal L. (reinforces the intercondylar part of joint capsule of knee)

Question 5

Biceps femoris

Answer 5

Long head
O: ischial tuberosity
I: head of fibula
N: tibial division of sciatic N.
A: flex leg, extend thigh
Short head
O: distal lateral lip of linea aspera
I: head of fibula
N: common fibular division of sciatic N.
A: flexes leg

Question 6

Adductor Magnus Hamstring Portion

Answer 6

O: ischial tuberosity
I: adductor tubercle on medial epicondyle of femur
N: Tibial division of sciatic N.
A: extends thigh
This is where the femoral A. Changes from anterior to vein to become posterior to vein on back of leg

Question 7

Popliteal fossa

Answer 7

Diamond shaped region posterior to knee

Question 8

Popliteal fossa boundaries

Answer 8

Superomedially: semitendinosus and semimembranosus
Superolaterally: biceps femoris
Inferolaterally: lateral head gastrocnemius
Inferomedially: medial head gastrocnemius

Question 9

Popliteal fossa contents

Answer 9

Superficial to deep
Nerves
Popliteal vein, lymph nodes and branches
Popliteal artery and branches (genicular branch)

Question 10

Popliteal Artery

Answer 10

Deepest structure in popliteal fossa
Continuation of femoral artery: becomes this after passing through adductor hiatus
Runs close to knee joint capsule and gives rise to genicular branches

Question 11

Genicular anastomosis

Answer 11

Descending branch of lateral femoral Circumflex A.
Descending genicular A.
Superior lateral genicular A.
Superior medial genicular A.
Inferior lateral genicular A.
Inferior medial genicular A.
Middle genicular A. Is NOT part of anastomosis
Supplies articular capsule and ligaments of knee joint

Question 12

Branches of descending genicular Artery

Answer 12

Articular branch

Saphenous branch

Question 13

What are the terminal parts of the popliteal artery?

Answer 13

Anterior tibial A.

Posterior tibial A.

Question 14

Popliteal Vein

Answer 14

Formed by union of anterior and posterior tibial veins, usually near inferior border of popliteus M.
Small saphenous V terminates into this
Lies superficial to and in same fibrous sheath as popliteal A.
Becomes femoral V. After traveling through adductor hiatus

Question 15

Nerves in popliteal fossa

Answer 15

Tibial N.

Common fibular N.

Question 16

Tibial N.

Answer 16

Most superficial (relative to popliteal A. And V.)
Superficial and deep posterior leg Ms.
Knee joint

Question 17

Common Fibular Nerve

Answer 17

Leaves popliteal fossa by passing superficial to lateral head of gastrocnemius
Winds around head and neck of fibula (susceptible to injury)
Deep to fibular is longus
Terminates into:
Deep fibular N.
Superficial fibular N.

Question 18

Sural N.

Answer 18

Cutaneous N.
Composed of medial sural cutaneous N from the tibial N, sural (or fibular) communicating branch from the common fibular N. Or the lateral sural cutaneous N.
Runs inferiorly with small saphenous V.
Supplies distal posterior aspect of leg and lateral aspect of ankle and foot