Why is the popliteus important?

The popliteus muscle plays an important role in the gait cycle by initiating the flexion of the fully extended (“locked”) knee. Thus, the popliteus is referred to as the “key to unlock the knee”. In addition, the popliteus muscle is the main stabilizer of the dorsal knee region.

What is the popliteus in anatomy?

The popliteus muscle is a thin, flat, triangular muscle that forms part of the floor of the popliteal space. The popliteus has a wide attachment on the posteromedial tibial surface proximal to the soleal line, forming the floor of the popliteal fossa.

How do you test a popliteus muscle?

To test the popliteus, the patient can be placed on his back on the table with the knee in a 90 degree flexion and the foot in dorsiflexion. To test the popliteus, the therapist then has to going push the foot and underleg externally while the patient has to maintain his position.

Which muscles unlock the knee?

The popliteus muscle, located in the lower leg, is responsible for “unlocking” the knee joint after extension.

What is the antagonist of the popliteus?

The popliteus has some function in knee flexion, but more importantly, as an internal rotator of the tibia. The antagonists to these muscles belong to the quadriceps muscle group, comprised of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius, all of which act to extend the knee.

Is popliteus superficial or deep?

Anatomical Parts 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. The bones of the popliteal fossa are the femur and the tibia. The roof is formed by (from superficial to deep): skin.

How do you injure your popliteus?

Popliteus muscle strains and tendinopathies most commonly occur in downhill skiers, and in runners and triathletes who compete on hills or uneven surfaces. The typical cause of injury is a direct blow to the inside of the knee, or a sudden forceful overextension/over straightening of the knee.

How do I strengthen my popliteal fossa?

Place one foot on top of a small raised platform. Keeping the raised leg slightly bent at the knee, step forward with the opposite leg. Next, step backwards, then to the right and left of the foot planted on the step. Repeat this motion for 20 to 25 repetitions.

Does popliteus attach to lateral meniscus?

The popliteus muscle consists of two halves, one being attached by tendon to the femur, the other by aponeurosis to the lateral meniscus. The action of the muscle is to rotate the knee and retract the posterior arch of the lateral meniscus. The flexing action of the muscle is quite negligible.

Does popliteus flex knee?

Right now, the popliteus is not in use. However, when you move your knee to take a step, the popliteus is the muscle that unlocks the joint and flexes the knee. When the knee flexes, the popliteus helps to rotate the tibia inward. It also assists in medial rotation of the knee.

What is the function of sartorius?

Structure and Function The function of the sartorius is unique in that it can serve as both a hip and knee flexor. The origin for the sartorius is the anterior superior iliac spine, sharing this origin with the tensor fascia lata. At the hip, it acts to both flex the hip as well as externally rotate.

What is the action of the sartorius?

Function. At the hip it flexes, weakly abducts, and rotates the thigh laterally. At the knee, it can flex the leg; when the knee is flexed, it also rotates the leg medially. This muscle plays an important part in stabilisation of the pelvis—especially in women.

What is the function of the popliteus muscle?

The popliteus muscle causes your leg to unlock from this straight leg position by helping the leg to bend and slightly internally rotate. The popliteus muscle is involved in the flexion and internal rotation of the knee joint, both of which are movements important for walking.

Is the popliteus the key to unlocking the knee?

Function. 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 and femur as the knee flexes.

Is the popliteus tendon connected to the lateral capsule?

Knee stabilitiy, The popliteus tendon is frequently found to be connected to the lateral capsule. This gives the muscle a possible role in postero-lateral stability of the knee.

Where is the popliteal fossa located in the knee?

The popliteus muscle is a small muscle that forms the floor of the popliteal fossa. It belongs to the deep posterior leg muscles, along with tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus. The popliteus muscle extends over the posterior aspect of the knee joint.