Popliteus Muscle

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Introduction

Popliteus muscle forming floor of popliteal fossa

Popliteus [pop-lit-ee-uh s, pop-li-tee-] is the muscle of the leg.Its deepest muscle of the knee joint which forms floor of the popliteus fossa. It is the only muscle in the posterior (back) compartment of the lower leg that acts just on the knee and not on the ankle.Its a thin,flat muscle.

Origin

The lateral condyle of the femur and the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus,From there it runs mediocaudally towards the tibia..Popliteus courses diagonally across the posterior upper tibia and a portion of the joint capsule to lie as the deepest muscle of the posterior knee region. Its tendon pierces the joint capsule but does not enter the synovium and is crossed by the arcuate ligament, the lateral collateral ligament and the tendon of biceps femoris. The popliteus bursa, which is usually an extension of the synovial membrane, separates it from the lateral femoral condyle. An additional head of popliteus may arise from a sesamoid in gastrocnemius' lateral head and very rarely two other muscles may be present.1

Insertion

It is inserted just proximal to the soleal line but below the tibial condyles.

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