Oblique popliteal ligament

Oblique popliteal ligament of the knee-joint. (Visible at center right.)

The Oblique popliteal ligament is a broad, flat, fibrous band, formed of fasciculi separated from one another by apertures for the passage of vessels and nerves. It is a constituent part of the human knee.

Anatomy

The oblique popliteal ligament is an expansion of the semimembranosus muscle, one of the hamstrings. It forms the posterior boundary of the popliteal fossa and the floor of the bursa of the gastrocnemius muscle. It is attached above to the upper margin of the tibia and below to the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and the lateral condyle of the femur.

Function

The oblique popliteal ligament serves to stabilize the posterior aspect of the knee joint. It prevents anterior displacement of the femur on the tibia, or posterior displacement of the tibia.

Clinical significance

Injury to the oblique popliteal ligament can result in instability of the knee joint. This can lead to difficulty in walking and performing activities that require knee flexion and extension.

See also

• Knee
• Ligament
• Popliteal fossa
• Semimembranosus muscle