The fossa is most prominent when the knee joint is flexed. Each head of the muscle has a reliable and consistent axial blood supply through a single dominant vascular pedicle arising from sural artery in the popliteal. Twenty patients had combined ipsilateral popliteal arterial and venous injuries. The popliteal fossa contains the popliteal vessels, the tibial and the common peroneal nerves, the termination of the small saphenous vein, the lower part of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve, the articular branch from the obturator nerve, a few small lymph glands, and a considerable quantity of fat. To recap the pertinent anatomy of the popliteal fossa. This may produce a palpable pulsation, a thrill, or an abnormal arterial sound, a bruit. This article envisages clarifying the basics of lower limb anatomy with focus on the gluteal region, posterior thigh and the popliteal fossa. Instant anatomy upper limb areasorgans popliteal fossa. As it gives passage for primary vessels and nerves from the thigh to the leg, this fossa has great anatomical significance. Popliteal fossa block southern california orthopedic institute.
Department of orthopaedic surgery, university of louisville, louisville, ky. Popliteal fossa, also known as the popliteal space, is located behind the knee joint. The popliteus tendon is an important cause of posterior knee pain. Popliteal fossa block reading, pa orthopedic surgeon. Typically, it is used for surgery on the lower leg, ankle and foot. Anatomy the popliteal fossa is located behind the knee joint and is formed by the femur and tibia bones. The bones of the popliteal fossa are the femur and the tibia. Considerable overlap exists in the presentation of these entities, yet the clinical course and treatment vary considerably.
A patient s guide to popliteal cysts central orthopedic group. However, it is relatively common for a candidate in final professional examinations to be asked to describe the posterior approach to the knee joint, with reference to the relationship of major vessels and nerves. The basis of any surgical discipline and radiological imaging is structural anatomy. Clinical applications and outcome of proximally based medial. Repair of a large traumatic laceration to the popliteal fossa. Popliteal fossa definition the popliteal fossa is a diamondshaped intermuscular space situated at the back of the knee. Pain in the popliteal fossa can also be due to a popliteal aneurysm, an abnormal dilation of the popliteal artery. The popliteal artery branches off to form five genicular arteries, which supply the ligaments and capsule of the knee joint. The lower extremity vessels injured are listed in table 2. Gross anatomy of common peroneal nerve, superficial peroneal nerve, deep peroneal nerve animation duration. The popliteus has a wide attachment on the posteromedial tibial surface proximal to the soleal line, forming the floor of the popliteal fossa. Laterally it is bounded by the biceps femoris above, and by the plantaris and the lateral head of the gastrocnemius below.
Management of traumatic popliteal vascular injuries in a. Orthopedic telemedicine visits now available for current and new patients. The popliteal artery, a branch of the femoral artery, enters the popliteal fossa by passing under the semimembranosus muscle. May 18, 2016 popliteal fossa maj dr poonam singh dept of anatomy naihs slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Some of its distal fibers are interconnected with fascial fibers.
Popliteal fossa syndrome advanced therapy institute. Anatomy of the popliteal fossa orthopaedic principles. Popliteal fossa block reading, pa orthopedic surgeon the bone and joint care center provides personalized medical care with cutting edge technology enabling high quality orthopedic outcomes. A patient afflicted with the popliteal fossa syndrome will complain of a great deal of pain behind that knee, usually describing it as a feeling of great pressure and swelling.
It continues superiorly and laterally, forming a long. Popliteal fossa orthopaedicsone articles orthopaedicsone. The cutaneous nerve supply of the skin over the popliteal fossa is the posterior. Pdf anatomy, function, and rehabilitation of the popliteus. A popliteal cyst may form after damage to the joint capsule of the knee. Popliteal fossa, also known as the popliteal space, is located. The popliteal fossa sometimes referred to as the hough, 1 or kneepit in analogy to the armpit is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint. Anatomical approach to clinical problems of popliteal fossa. Pronunciation of popliteal fossa with 2 audio pronunciations, 1 meaning, 10 translations and more for popliteal fossa.
Bhanu prakash usmle, fmge and neet pg 42,295 views. The popliteal fossa is a diamond shaped area found on the posterior side of the knee. Mri of the knee is often performed for presumed musculoskeletal conditions. The requirement to use the posterior approach to the knee is uncommon, and many orthopaedic surgeons may not be familiar with the surgical anatomy. Anatomy lectures by dr deepak agarmor in this video you will learn anatomy of popliteal fossa in hindi. Popliteal fossa syndrome the popliteal fossa syndrome is a pain syndrome of unknown cause or etiology.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Normally, our surgeons dont do any vascular repair. Jan 15, 2014 a quick tutorial outlining the borders, contents and clinical relevance of the popliteal fossa. This region can develop many clinical complications in the vascular, nervous, lymphatics, adipose. Prof nabil ebraheim, university of toledo, ohio, usa popliteal fossa is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint, bounded by biceps femoris superolaterally,semimembranosus and semitendinosus superomedially. Knee joint and popliteal fossa 43 the knee joint is a synovial hingetype joint between the femur and tibia.
Anatomy popliteus musculotendinous complex the popliteus muscle is a thin, flat, triangular muscle that forms part of the floor of the popliteal space. The muscles of the gluteal region are specialized to bear weight and maintain the horizontal balance of the pelvis. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. It is the main path in which structures move from the thigh to the leg. It travels through the fossa inferolaterally before entering the posterior compartment of the leg. Thus appropriate imaging and analysis is crucial in. Back of thigh and popliteal fossa it extends from lower part of gluteal region to back of knee joint up to popliteal fossa.
Musculoskeletal and vascular pathology of the popliteal fossa. Popliteal fossa pathology encompasses relatively common entities such as baker cysts to eh uncommon, such as popliteal fossa entrapment and soft tissue masses. Apr 15, 2020 because of this, popliteal abscesses usually spread superiorly and inferiorly from the popliteal fossa. Of or relating to the hollow part of the leg behind the knee joint. Instant anatomy is a specialised web site for you to learn all about human anatomy of the body with diagrams, podcasts and revision questions. This article covers the anatomy of the posterior knee and popliteal fossa, the surgical approach and the common pathologies encountered in the posterior knee and popliteal fossa. We present a case of a 63yearold male who presented with a retained knife blade in the popliteal fossa.
Most people will be able to feel the cyst in the hollow area right behind the knee joint. Patient had large open wound on lower leg with laceration of semimembranosus, semitendinosus and gracilis as well as a laceration of the popliteal vein. Anatomy, function, and rehabilitation of the popliteus. Popliteal fossa block typically, it is used for surgery on the lower leg, ankle and foot. There is a wide variety of variant vascular anatomy and vascular pathology that can occur around the knee, including an aberrant anterior tibial artery, vascular trauma that occurs with knee dislocation, popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, popliteal artery aneurysm, popliteal vein thrombosis, cystic adventitial. The popliteal fossa is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint.
Anatomy lectures by dr deepak agarmor in this video you will learn anatomy of popliteal. Patient presented after an assault complaining of left knee pain and inability to flex his knee. A strain of one or more of the distal hamstring tendons is the most likely culprit. Softtissue popliteal masses can be evaluated using physical examinations and imaging studies, such as computed tomography ct or magnetic resonance imaging mri. Popliteal definition of popliteal by the free dictionary. Jun 11, 2016 knee joint and popliteal fossa the knee joint is a synovial hingetype joint between the femur and tibia. Jun 12, 2010 it is also important to note the anatomy of the popliteal fossa when evaluating posterior knee pain. A popliteal cyst, also known as a bakers cyst, is a fluidfilled swelling that causes a lump at the back of the knee, leading to tightness and restricted movement. The popliteal fossa is also composed of nerves posterior femoral cutaneous, common peroneal and tibial, vascular structures small saphenous vein, popliteal artery and popliteal vein, bursae, lymph nodes, and fat. Bilateral popliteal artery injuries were present in two patients. Pdf anatomical approach to clinical problems of popliteal fossa.
A cystic mass in the popliteal fossa and its differential. Popliteal fossa block this outpatient procedure numbs the lower leg with an injection of local anesthesia. A strain of the tendinous origins of one of the gastrocnemius heads may also be at fault. Feb 29, 2016 in this video we go over an important junction in the lower extremity. In the floor adductor magnus and vastus lateralis lies. Anatomy and contents of the popliteal fossa courtesy. Anatomy popliteal fossa and knee flashcards quizlet. It is also important to note the anatomy of the popliteal fossa when. Popliteal fossa is a diamondshaped hollow found on the rear side of the knee joint. Anatomy of the popliteal fossa boundaries of the popliteal fossa and anatomy of the posterior knee. The popliteal fossa sometimes referred to colloquially as the knee pit, or poplit is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint. Popliteal fossa block southern california orthopedic. Popliteal fossa definition of popliteal fossa by medical.
It lies in between laterally lateral intermuscular septum and medially posterior intermuscular compartment which is incomplete. The popliteal fossa or space is a lozengeshaped space, at the back of the kneejoint. The popliteal fossa borders contents teachmeanatomy. Jul 14, 2015 a cystic mass arising in the popliteal fossa can be either a meniscal cyst, a synovial cyst bakers cyst, or a ganglionic cyst.
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