The popliteal fossa (also referred to as hough or kneepit in analogy to the cubital fossa) is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint. The bones of the popliteal fossa are the femur and the tibia. Like other flexion surfaces of large joints (groin, armpit, cubital fossa and essentially the anterior part of the neck), it is an area where blood vessels and nerves pass relatively superficially, and with an increased number of lymph nodes.
| Popliteal fossa | |
|---|---|
 Popliteal fossa of the right leg. | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | fossa poplitea |
| TA98 | A01.2.08.013 |
| TA2 | 324 |
| FMA | 22525 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Structure
editBoundaries
editThe boundaries of the fossa are:[1]
| Medial | Lateral | |
|---|---|---|
| Superior | the semimembranosus & semitendinosus muscles[2] | the biceps femoris muscle[2] |
| Inferior | the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle[2] | the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle and plantaris muscle[2] |
Roof
editMoving from superficial to deep structures, the roof is formed by:
- the skin.[1]
- the superficial fascia.[1] This contains the small saphenous vein, the terminal branch of the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, posterior division of the medial cutaneous nerve, lateral sural cutaneous nerve, and medial sural cutaneous nerve.[1]
- the popliteal fascia.[1][2]
Floor
editThe floor is formed by:
- the popliteal surface of the femur.[2]
- the capsule of the knee joint and the oblique popliteal ligament.[2]
- strong fascia covering the popliteus muscle.[2]
Contents
editStructures within the popliteal fossa include, (from superficial to deep):[1]
- tibial nerve
- common fibular nerve (also known as the common peroneal nerve)[3]
- popliteal vein
- popliteal artery, a continuation of the femoral artery
- small saphenous vein (termination)[3]
- Popliteal lymph nodes and vessels[3]
It is of note that the common fibular nerve also begins at the superior angle of the popliteal fossa.[4]
Additional images
edit-
Muscles of the gluteal and posterior femoral regions. -
Small saphenous vein and its tributaries. -
The popliteal, posterior tibial, and peroneal arteries. -
Nerves of the right lower extremity. Posterior view. -
Muscles of thigh. Lateral view.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f Buckenmaier III C; Bleckner L (2008). "Chapter 20: Popliteal nerve block". The Military Advanced Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Handbook. Rockville, Maryland: Defense & Veterans Pain Management Initiative (DVPMI). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-02-20. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Nichols, Jennifer S.; Ashford, Robert U. (2013-04-01). "Surgical anatomy & pathology of the popliteal fossa". Orthopaedics and Trauma. 27 (2): 113–117. doi:10.1016/j.mporth.2013.02.011. ISSN 1877-1327.
- ^ a b c Clinically Oriented Anatomy by Moore, 6th edition
- ^ "The Popliteal Fossa - Borders - Contents - TeachMeAnatomy".
External links
edit
- postthigh at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (poplitealfossabones, poplitealfossacontents, poplitealfossafloor)
- MedicalMnemonics.com: 2747 9
