Popliteus

Musculus popliteus

MuscularDeep musclesLegLeft and right

View left in 3D View right in 3D

What it is
Thin triangular muscle forming the floor of the popliteal fossa: from a groove on the lateral femoral condyle (and the lateral meniscus) obliquely down to the back of the tibia above the soleal line.
Function
"Unlocks" the fully extended knee by rotating the femur laterally on the tibia at the start of flexion, and pulls the lateral meniscus backwards.
Size
About 8-10 cm long, triangular.
Clinical note
Its tendon runs inside the knee joint capsule; popliteus tendon injuries are part of posterolateral corner knee injuries.

Nearby muscular structures Biceps femoris (short head), Extensor digitorum longus, Fibularis longus, Gastrocnemius (lateral head), Gastrocnemius (medial head), Patellar tendon, Plantaris, Quadriceps tendon, Tibialis anterior, Tibialis posterior