Popliteal Fossa

Overview

• The popliteal fossa is a diamond shaped area found on the posterior side of the knee.
• It is the main path in which structures move from the thigh to the leg.

Boundaries

• Superior Medial: Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus
• Superior Lateral: Biceps Femoris
• Inferior: Heads of Gastrocnemius
• Roof: Fascia Lata
  • Roof pierced by: Small Saphenous Vein and Posterior Femoral Cutaneous Nerve
• Floor (from above downwards)
  • Femur (popliteal surface)
  • Capsule of Knee Joint
  • Oblique Popliteal Ligament
  • Popliteus
• Small group of Popliteal Lymph Nodes lie alongside the Popliteal Vein

Contents

• Medial to lateral
  • Popliteal artery
  • Popliteal vein
  • Tibial nerve
  • Common peroneal nerve
• The small saphenous vein pierces the popliteal fascia of the popliteal fossa to enter the diamond, and empty into the popliteal vein.
• In the popliteal fossa, the deepest structure is the popliteal artery. It is a continuation of the femoral artery, and travels into the leg to supply it with blood. Branches are five genicular arteries:
  • superior and inferior medial
  • superior and inferior lateral
  • middle

Artery vein nerve Nerve vein artery