popliteal fossa

Popliteal

POPLITEAL FOSSA — SIMPLE SHORT NOTE

Introduction:

• Diamond-shaped fossa behind knee

• Lower part is homologous to cubital fossa

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Boundaries:

Superolateral:
→ Biceps femoris

Superomedial:
→ Semimembranosus & semitendinosus

Inferolateral:
→ Lateral head of gastrocnemius (+ plantaris)

Inferomedial:
→ Medial head of gastrocnemius

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Roof:

→ Skin + superficial fascia + popliteal fascia

Structures piercing roof:

• Sural nerve

• Posterior femoral cutaneous nerve

• Short saphenous vein

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Floor:

(Above ↓ below)

• Popliteal surface of femur

• Knee joint capsule

• Oblique popliteal ligament

• Popliteus muscle

Structures piercing floor:

• Middle genicular vessels

• Middle genicular nerve

• Obturator nerve branch

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Contents:

• Tibial nerve

• Common peroneal nerve

• Popliteal vein

• Popliteal artery

• Popliteal lymph nodes

• Fat

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Relations (VERY IMPORTANT 🔥)

Upper (medial → lateral):
Artery → Vein → Nerve

Middle (anterior → posterior):
Artery → Vein → Nerve

Lower (medial → lateral):
Nerve → Vein → Artery

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Applied Anatomy:

• Popliteal aneurysm: Pulsatile swelling

• Baker’s cyst: Fluid swelling behind knee

• Popliteal pulse: Felt when knee flexed

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Q: Shape of popliteal fossa?

A: Diamond-shaped

Q: Location of popliteal fossa?’

A: Posterior aspect of knee

Q: Superolateral boundary?

.

A: Biceps femoris

Q: Superomedial boundary?

A: Semimembranosus & semitendinosus’

Q: Inferolateral boundary?

,

A: Lateral head of gastrocnemius

Q: Inferomedial boundary?

. A: Medial head of gastrocnemius

Q: Roof of popliteal fossa?

A: Popliteal fascia

Q: Structure piercing roof (1)?

A: Sural nerve

.Q: Structure piercing roof (2)?

A: Short saphenous vein

Q: Floor of popliteal fossa?

A: Femur → capsule → ligament → popliteus

Q: Main contents of popliteal fossa?

A: Nerve, vein, artery + lymph nodes

Q: Nerve in popliteal fossa?

A: Tibial nerve

Q: Artery in popliteal fossa?.

A: Popliteal artery

Q: Vein in popliteal fossa?

A: Popliteal vein

Q: Relation in upper part?

A: Artery → Vein → Nerve

Q: Relation in middle part?

A: Artery → Vein → Nerve (anterior → posterior)

Q: Relation in lower part?

_

A: Nerve → Vein → Artery

Q: What is popliteal aneurysm?

A: Pulsatile swelling of popliteal artery

Q: What is Baker’s cyst?.

A: Fluid swelling in popliteal fossa

Q: How to feel popliteal pulse?

.

A: Flex the knee

"Serve And Volley Next"

S → Superolateral = Biceps

A → Superomedial = Semi muscles

V → Inferolateral = Gastrocnemius (lateral)

N → Inferomedial = Gastrocnemius (medial).