Popliteal fossa

Popliteal fossa is a diamond-shaped depression located at the back of the knee joint. The boundaries of the popliteal fossa are formed by the muscles of the thigh and the leg. The fossa contains important neurovascular structures that pass between the thigh and leg.

Anatomy

The anatomy of the popliteal fossa involves several key structures. The fossa is bounded superiorly by the semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles medially and the biceps femoris muscle laterally. Inferiorly, the boundaries are formed by the gastrocnemius muscle and the plantaris muscle. The floor of the fossa is formed by the popliteal surface of the femur and the knee joint capsule.

Contents

The contents of the popliteal fossa include the popliteal artery, the popliteal vein, the tibial nerve, the common fibular nerve, and the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh. The popliteal lymph nodes and fat are also contained within the fossa.

Clinical significance

The clinical significance of the popliteal fossa is primarily related to its neurovascular contents. Conditions such as popliteal artery entrapment syndrome and popliteal aneurysm can affect the blood vessels in the fossa, leading to symptoms such as pain, swelling, and ischemia. The nerves in the fossa can be affected by conditions such as sciatica and common fibular nerve palsy.

See also

• Knee
• Thigh
• Leg
• Popliteal artery
• Popliteal vein
• Tibial nerve
• Common fibular nerve

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