Overview
The popliteal fossa is located on the posterior surface of the knee and
contains important nerves and blood vessels supplying the leg and foot.
Gross Anatomy
The borders of the popliteal fossa:
Superomedial:
semimembranosus (and semitendinosus)
Superolateral: biceps
femoris
Inferomedial: medial
head of gastrocnemius
Inferolateral: lateral
head of gastrocnemius and plantaris
Roof: popliteal fascia
and skin
Floor: knee joint
capsule, popliteus and posterior surface of femur
The contents of the popliteal fossa:
(medial and deep to lateral and superficial)
Popliteal artery
Popliteal vein
Tibial nerve
Common peroneal nerve
Others: lymphatics,
fat, termination of short saphenous vein as it enters the popliteal vein, sural
nerve, popliteus bursa, 5 genicular branches of the popliteal artery
Clinical Anatomy
A differential diagnosis for a lump in the
popliteal fossa would include:
- Baker’s
cyst (inflammation and swelling of the semimembranosus bursa)
- Popliteal
aneurysm (dilatation of the artery by >50% of its normal diameter, may
cause compression of the tibial nerve)
- Deep vein
thrombosis
- Short
saphenous varicosity
- Adventitial
cyst of the popliteal artery
- Enlarged
bursa
- lymphadenopathy
- Sebaceous
cyst
- Lipoma
- Neuroma
- Tumour eg
rhabdomyosarcoma
Quick Anatomy
Key Facts
Aide-Memoire
SemiMembranosus is Medial
Structures medial to lateral:
serve and volley next ball
semimembranosus, artery, vein, nerve,
biceps femoris
Summary
A diamond shape area on the posterior surface of the knee which contains
the major blood vessels of the leg and foot.