Muscles and vessels of the knee and popliteal fossa

Question 1

What are the muscles of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 1

popliteus

plantaris

Question 2

What is the origin and insertion of politeus?

Answer 2

Origin: lateral surface of lateral femoral condyle, posterior horn of lateral meniscus

Insertion: posterior/medial tibia above soleal line (not to soleal line)

Question 3

What is the action of popliteus muscle?

Answer 3

flexion and medial rotation of leg at knee;

with foot fixed, rotates femur laterally to unlock knee and begin flexion

Question 4

What is the innervation of the polite us muscle?

Answer 4

: tibial N (L4, L5, S1)

Question 5

What is the origin of the plantar is muscle?

Answer 5

Origin: proximal to gastrocnemius lateral head

Insertion: calcaneal tuberosity via Achilles tendon

Question 6

What is the innervation of th eplantaris muscle?

Answer 6

: tibial N (S1, S2)

Question 7

What is the action of the plantar is muscle?

Answer 7

negligible flexion of knee and ankle; might prevent compression of posterior leg mm during knee flexion

Question 8

What are the arteries of the knee?

Answer 8

superior, medial and lateral genicular

• inferior, medial and lateral genicular
• small middle geniculars into joint itself
• sural AA (inside gastrocnemius heads)
• anterior and posterior tibial arteries-

descending genicular A from femoral A
- anterior and posterior tibial recurrent

Question 9

What does the tibial nerve innervate?

Answer 9

, L4-S3, larger, medial, serves medial knee, posterior leg

Question 10

What does the common perennial innervate?

Answer 10

L4-S2, smaller, lateral, serves lateral knee, anterior and lateral leg