Popliteal fossa


The popliteal fossa is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint. The bones of the popliteal fossa are the femur and the tibia. Like other flexion surfaces of large joints, it is an area where blood vessels and nerves pass relatively superficially, and with an increased number of lymph nodes.

Boundaries

The boundaries of the fossa are:
MedialLateral
Superiorsuperior and medial:
the semimembranosus & semitendinosus muscles		superior and lateral:
the biceps femoris muscle
Inferiorinferior and medial:
the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle		inferior and lateral:
the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle and plantaris muscle

Roof

The roof is formed by :
  1. skin
  2. superficial fascia, which contains the small saphenous vein, the terminal branch of the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, posterior division of the medial cutaneous nerve, lateral sural cutaneous nerve, and medial sural cutaneous nerve
  3. deep fascia or popliteal fascia

    Floor

The floor is formed by:
  1. the popliteal surface of the femur
  2. the capsule of the knee joint and the oblique popliteal ligament
  3. strong fascia covering the popliteus muscle

    Contents

Structures within the popliteal fossa include, :
It is of note that the common fibular nerve also begins at the superior angle of the popliteal fossa.

Additional images