Popliteal Fossa
Lab Session 7
Dr. Hayder Jalil Al-Assam
MBChB (Iraq), MRes Anatomy (UK)
: dr_hayder_anatomy@yahoo.com
Popliteal fossa
• The popliteal fossa is a
diamond-shaped
intermuscular space
situated at the back of the
knee.
• It contains the popliteal
vessels, the small
saphenous vein, the
common peroneal and tibial
nerves, the posterior
cutaneous nerve of the
thigh, the genicular branch
of the obturator nerve,
connective tissue, and
lymph nodes.
Boundaries of Popliteal fossa
•
Laterally: The biceps femoris
above and the lateral head
of the gastrocnemius and
plantaris below
•
Medially: The
semimembranosus and
semitendinosus above and
the medial head of the
gastrocnemius below
•
The anterior wall or floor of
the fossa is formed by the
popliteal surface of the
femur, the posterior
ligament of the knee joint,
and the popliteus muscle .
•
The roof is formed by skin,
superficial fascia, and the
deep fascia of the thigh.
Boundaries of Popliteal fossa
Deep Structures of the fossa
Thank You