Popliteus muscle
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{{Muscle infobox |
Name = Popliteus muscle |
Latin = musculus popliteus |
GraySubject = 129 |
GrayPage = 484 |
Image = Gray439.png |
Caption = Muscles of the back of the leg. Deep layer. (Popliteus visible at center top.) |
Width = 222 |
Origin = middle facet of the lateral surface of the [[lateral femoral condyle]] |
Insertion = posterior [[tibia]] under the [[tibial condyle]]s |
Action = [[Medial rotation]] and [[flexion]] of knee |
Blood = [[popliteal artery]] |
Nerve = [[tibial nerve]] |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = m_22 |
DorlandsSuf = 12550232 |
}}
The '''popliteus''' muscle in the [[leg]] is used to unlock the [[knee]] by [[laterally rotating]] the [[femur]] on the [[tibia]] during a closed chain movement (such as one with the foot in contact with the ground).
==Origin and insertion==
It originates from the middle facet of the lateral surface of the lateral [[femur|femoral]] condyle and inserts onto the posterior [[tibia]] under the tibial [[condyle]]s, with its [[tendon]] running into the knee [[capsule]] to the posterior [[lateral meniscus]].
==Innervation==
Nerve supply is via the [[tibial nerve]] from spinal roots L5 and S1.
==Action==
The Popliteus assists in flexing the leg upon the [[thigh]]; when the leg is flexed, it will rotate the tibia inward.
It is especially called into action at the beginning of the act of bending the knee, in as much as it produces the slight [[inward rotation]] of the tibia, which is essential in the early stage of this movement.
When the knee is it full extension; the femur slightly medially rotates on the tibia to lock the knee joint in place. Popliteus is often referred to as the "Key" to unlocking the knee since it begins knee flexion by laterally rotating the femur on the tibia.
Popliteus is also attached to the lateral meniscus in the knee; and draws it posteriorly during knee flexion to prevent crushing the meniscus between the tibia/femur as the knee flexes.
==Variations==
Additional head from the [[sesamoid]] bone in the outer head of the [[Gastrocnemius]].
Popliteus minor, rare, origin from femur on the inner side of the [[Plantaris]], insertion into the posterior ligament of the knee-joint.
[[Peroneotibialis]], 14% of population. Origin is inner side of the head of the fibula, insertion into the upper end of the oblique line of the tibia, it lies beneath the Popliteus<ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/107/pages/page485.html Gray, Henry. 1918. Anatomy of the Human Body. Page 485<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>.
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray245.png|Right femur. Posterior surface.
Image:Gray259.png|Bones of the right leg. Posterior surface.
Image:Gray352.png|Capsule of right knee-joint (distended). Posterior aspect.
Image:Gray551.png|The popliteal, posterior tibial, and peroneal arteries.
</gallery>
== References ==
<references/>
==External links==
* {{MuscleLoyola|pop}}
* {{GPnotebook|93978702}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|15|st|04|13}}
* {{eMedicineDictionary|popliteus+%28muscle%29}}
* [http://www.ptcentral.com/muscles/musclelegs.html#popliteus PTCentral]
{{Gray's}}
{{muscle-stub}}
{{Muscles_of_lower_limb}}
[[Category:Calf muscles]]
[[de:Musculus popliteus]]
[[es:Poplíteo]]
[[fr:Muscle poplité]]
[[gl:Músculo poplíteo]]
[[hr:Zakoljeni mišić]]
[[ja:膝窩筋]]
[[pl:Mięsień podkolanowy]]
[[fi:Polvitaivelihas]]