1. Popliteal fossa By
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

2. Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

3. Popliteal fossa Definition:
A diamond - shaped intermuscular space lying behind the knee joint
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

4. Boundaries of popliteal fossa
Superomedial
Superolateral
Inferomedial
Inferolateral
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

5. Roof of Popliteal fossa
Skin & Superficial fascia containing:
Small saphenous vein
Terminal part of posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh
Posterior division of medial cutaneous nerve of the thigh
Sural communicating nerve
Deep fascia
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

6. Floor of Popliteal fossa
From above downwards
1-Popliteal surface of the femur.
2-Back of the capsule of the knee joint (oblique popliteal ligament).
3-Fascia covering the popliteus muscle. 1 2 3
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

7. Contents of popliteal fossa
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

8. Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

9. Origin &
Root value
Sciatic nerve

10. Course of Sciatic nerve
In the pelvis,
It lies in front of piriformis muscle

11. Course of Sciatic nerve

12. The common peroneal nerve
Root value:
Dorsal branches of L4,5 & S1,2.
Origin:
The smaller of the 2 terminal branches of the sciatic nerve.
Course and relation:
Passes downwards and laterally from the superior angle of the popliteal fossa close to the medial side of the biceps femoris to reach the lateral angle of the fossa.
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

13. The common peroneal nerve
Course and relation:
Then descends behind the head of the fibula and curves forwards around the neck of fibula. to terminates by dividing into its terminals, superficial peroneal nerve & deep peroneal nerve.
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

14. Branches of the common peroneal nerve
Cutaneous branches:
1-Sural (peroneal) communicating nerve
2-Lateral cutaneous nerve of the calf (lateral sural): supplies the skin of the upper 2/3 of the antero-& posterolateral aspects of the leg).
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

15. Branches of the common peroneal nerve
Articular branches:
1-Superior & inferior lateral genicular nerves:
2-Recurrent genicular nerve: accompanies the anterior tibial recurrent artery & pierces upper part of tibialis anterior muscle to supply knee joint
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

16. Tibial nerve Root value Origin:
Ventral remi of L4,5&S1,2,3
Origin:
The larger of the two terminal branches of sciatic nerve at the upper angle of popliteal fossa
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

17. Tibial nerve Course: Termination:
Runs vertically from the upper angle to lower angle of fossa.
Then crosses the popliteal vessels from lateral to medial superficial to popliteal vessels.
Termination:
At the distal border of popliteus,
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

18. Tibial nerve Branches: Muscular branches : Cutaneous: Sural nerve:
Descends between the 2 heads of gastrocnemius .
It pierce the deep fascia about the middle of back of leg & becomes cutaneous where it is joined by the sural communicating nerve.
Accompanied by the small saphenous vein along its course.
Supplies the skin of the lower 1/3 of the posterolateral aspect of the leg and the lateral side of the dorsum of the foot and little toe.
Muscular branches :
Medial & lateral heads of gastrocnemius, plantaris, popliteus and soleus.
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

19. Tibial nerve Branches: Muscular branches : Cutaneous: Sural nerve:
Descends between the 2 heads of gastrocnemius .
It pierce the deep fascia about the middle of back of leg & becomes cutaneous where it is joined by the sural communicating nerve.
Accompanied by the small saphenous vein along its course.
Supplies the skin of the lower 1/3 of the posterolateral aspect of the leg and the lateral side of the dorsum of the foot and little toe.
Muscular branches :
Medial & lateral heads of gastrocnemius, plantaris, popliteus and soleus.
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

20. Tibial nerve Branches: Articular:-
Superior & inferior medial genicular nerves &Middle genicular nerve
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

21. Popliteal artery Origin: Starting: Ending:
Continuation of the femoral artery at the opening in the adductor
magnus
Starting:
From adductor opening in the adductor magnus muscle.
Ending:
Lower border of popliteus muscle by dividing into its two terminals( anterior and posterior tibial arteries).
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

22. Popliteal artery Course:
Runs downward and slight laterally as the deepest structure in the popliteal fossa.
-The popliteal vein always intervenes between the popliteal artery and the tibial nerve throughout the fossa.
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

23. Popliteal artery -Branches: 1-Muscular to surrounding muscles
2-Cutaneous from the artery itself or from its muscular branches, that accompany the small saphenous vein.
3-Articular (genicular);
Superior medial & inferior medial genicular .
Superior lateral and inferior lateral genicular.
One middle genicular pierces the oblique popliteal ligament of the knee j
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

24. Popliteal vein Beginning: Termination:-
At the distal border of the popliteus muscle by union of the venae comitants of the anterior and posterior tibial arteries
Termination:-
Ends by passing via the adductor opening & continues as femoral vein.
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

25. Popliteal vein Course and relations:
-Ascends in the fossa, always between the popliteal artery & the tibial nerve.
-Has triple relations to the popliteal artery:
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

26. Popliteal vein Tributaries: Small saphenous vein.
Veins corresponding to the branches of the popliteal artery.
Muscular veins.
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

27. 1- The most superficial structure in the popliteal fossa is
Popliteal vein.
Popliteal artery.
Tibial nerve.
Profunda femoris artery.
Posterior tibial artery.
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

28. 2-The femoral artery shares in the anastomosis around the knee via:
Lateral circumflex femoral artery
Descending genicular artery
Anterior tibial artery
Infero medial genicular artery
Anterior tibial recurrent
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

29. Upper lateral genicular nerve Recurrent genicular nerve
3- Which of the following nerves is not a branch of the common peroneal nerve?
Upper lateral genicular nerve
Recurrent genicular nerve
Posterior tibial nerve
Deep peroneal nerve
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed

30. Be happy
Prof. Dr. Kawther Ahmed