Popliteus

General Information

• This section is strictly limited to anatomy, you might be looking for clinical relevant information which is found under the clinical chapters -- muscles section, click here to go to that page

Position

• Deep to both the gastrocnemius and plantaris

Origin

• Lateral condyle femur
  • Lateral aspect
• Oblique popliteal ligament at knee joint

Insertion

• Posterior surface of tibia
  • Triangular area proximal to the soleal line
• Fascia sorrounding the muscle

Main function

• Knee
  • Flexion
  • Medial rotation

Secondary function

• Knee
  • Lateral rotation

Nerve innervation

• Segmental
  • L4-S1
• Peripheral
  • Tibial nerve

Arterial supply

• Popliteal artery

• Patient position
  • Sitting
• Place your one hand proximal at the posterior aspect of the tibia
• Palpate deep to the gastrocnemius
• While palpating, ask the patient to medially rotate the knee and feel for contraction in the muscle
• Keep palpating the muscle inferiorly along the tibia
• The insertion can be difficult to palpate

• Patient position
  • Sitting
• Have the patient's foot hang freely above the floor
• Ask the patient to hold the knee in a laterally rotated position
• Ask the patient to medially rotate the knee
  • It is not necessary to add resistance
• Note that there are 4 other muscles which medially rotate the knee
  • Sartorius
  • Gracilis
  • Semimembranosus
  • Semitendinosus