Week 9 - The Popliteal Fossa Flashcards
What structure makes up the superiomedial border of the popliteal fossa?
Semimembranosus
Which structure makes up the superiolateral border of the popliteal fossa?
Biceps femoris
Which structure makes up the inferiolateral border of the popliteal fossa?
Lateral head of gastrocnemius, and plantaris
What forms the inferiomedial border of the popliteal fossa?
Medial head of gastronecmius
What makes up the floor of the popliteal fossa?
The posterior surface of the joint capsule of the knee, and the posterior surface of the femur
What makes up the roof of the popliteal fossa?
2 layers:
- Skin
- Popliteal fascia (continuous with fascia lata of thigh)
List the contents of the popliteal fossa, from medial to lateral.
Popliteal artery
Popliteal vein
Tibial nerve
Common fibular nerve
Of the 4 major contents of the popliteal fossa, which is deepest?
Popliteal artery
Of the 4 major contents of the popliteal fossa, which are most superficial?
The common fibular and tibial nerves
Which muscle does the common fibular nerve follow the course of through the popliteal fossa?
Biceps femoris
Makes sense, as biceps femoris is superiolateral and the common fibular nerve is most lateral
Apart from the following, what are the 2 minor contents of the popliteal fossa?
Popliteal artery and vein
Tibial nerve
Common fibular nerve
Small saphoneus vein
Posterior cutaneous nerve
What does the small saphoneus vein drain into?
The popliteal vein
What is the popliteal fossa?
A diamond shaped area at the back of the knee
In which position is the popliteal artery easiest to palpate?
When the knee is flexed (although still hard to find pulse)
Why may there be swelling in the popliteal fossa? (2)
Baker’s cyst
Popliteal aneurysm
