The popliteal fossa is a shallow depression located posterior to the knee joint. Softtissue popliteal masses can be evaluated using physical examinations and imaging studies, such as computed tomography ct or magnetic resonance imaging mri. Popliteal fossa definition of popliteal fossa by the. Pdf anatomical approach to clinical problems of popliteal fossa. The pterygopalatine fossa contents openings teachmeanatomy. Pierces the deep fascia and drains into the popliteal vein. Palpation of the popliteal fossa singapore sports and. Contents superficial to deep short saphenous vein pierces roof of popliteal fossa and drains into popliteal vein. The pterygopalatine fossa is a bilateral, coneshaped depression extending deep from the infratemporal fossa all the way to the nasal cavity via the sphenopalatine foramen it is located between the maxilla, sphenoid and palatine bones, and communicates with other regions of the skull and facial skeleton via several canals and foramina. Important nerves and vessels pass from the thigh to the leg by traversing through this fossa and the muscles of the thigh and the leg form its boundaries.
The retained knife blade is a seldomreported injury with the majority of cases involving the head, neck and thoracic regions. This is an unusual case of a retained knife blade in the popliteal fossa from an anterior entry wound without vascular nor ligamentous injury. The knee joint however, there was a striking sparing of the abdominal creases, antecubital fossa and the popliteal fossa figures 1 and 2. If symptoms do occur these may include swelling and pain behind the knee, or knee stiffness. The basis of any surgical discipline and radiological imaging is structural anatomy. When the leg is in a slightly flexed position it becomes easier to move within the structure. Popliteal fossa definition of popliteal fossa by the free.
Its small volume combined with the numerous structures. Anteriorly and laterally it is bounded by the lesser wings of the sphenoid bone. A pseudoaneurysm was detected and operated a year later. Like other flexion surfaces of large joints groin, armpit, cubital fossa and essentially the anterior part of the neck, it is an area where blood vessels and nerves pass. Chronic expanding hematoma in the popliteal fossa after. Boundaries of the popliteal fossa upper medial boundary comprises two muscles semimembranosus semitendinosus 5. The popliteal fossa borders contents teachmeanatomy. Rev med here to replace long boring lectures and books. The popliteal fossa sometimes referred to as the kneepit or hough is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint. As it gives passage for primary vessels and nerves from the thigh to the leg, this fossa has great anatomical significance. Popliteal fossa anatomy mnemonic radiology reference.
The muscular borders that make up the popliteal fossa can be identified and palpated. They present as swelling in the popliteal fossa due to enlargement of the gastrocnemiussemimembranosus bursa, which lies between these two muscles on the medial side of the fossa slightly distal to the center crease in the back of the knee. Jan 17, 2018 the popliteal fossa sometimes referred to as the kneepit or hough is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint. Yellow brick cinema relaxing music recommended for you. The popliteal fossa sometimes referred to as the hough1, or kneepit in analogy to the armpit is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint. It wraps around the fibural and biefircates sherlty thereafter. It is located between the maxilla, sphenoid and palatine bones, and communicates with other regions of the skull and facial skeleton via several canals and foramina. He had a puncture wound by a nail 11 years ago and a gradually expanding mass occurred in his popliteal fossa. A cystic mass arising in the popliteal fossa can be either a meniscal cyst, a synovial cyst bakers cyst, or a ganglionic cyst. Like other flexion surfaces of large joints groin, armpit, cubital fossa and essentially the anterior part of the neck.
Thorough understanding of the appearance and location of the popliteal fossa masses one can reach a specific differential diagnosis in the majority of cases. A cystic mass in the popliteal fossa and its differential. Feb 08, 20 concentration music, study music, relaxing music for studying, soothing music, alpha waves, 161c duration. The oblique popliteal ligament forms part of the floor of the popliteal fossa, and the popliteal artery rests upon it. The semimembranosus muscle is especially important as a stabilizing structure around the posterior and posteromedial aspects of the knee. When the leg is in full extension the roof of the popliteal fossa becomes very taught making it difficult to feel and. This article envisages clarifying the basics of lower limb anatomy with focus on the gluteal region, posterior thigh and the popliteal fossa.
If this occurs, the blood will flow through the descending circumflex femoral a. This region can develop many clinical complications in the. In the middle of the popliteal fossa, the tibial nerve crosses posterior to the artery to its medial aspect and remains at that location. Few nodes just under the deep fascia embedded in the fatty connective tissue of popliteal fossa, close to the popliteal vessels drain the deep tissues of the leg,foot and knee joint efferents to the deep inguinal ln 14. The tibial nerve enters the popliteal fossa from its superior edge, lateral to the popliteal artery.
A strain of one or more of the distal hamstring tendons is the most likely culprit. The borders of this small nerve are clarified by the surrounding local anesthetic. After surgery, a gradually expanding mass recurred in his popliteal. The popliteal fossa, sometimes called the knee pit, is a diamondshaped area of vulnerability in the lower leg. Popliteal fossa article about popliteal fossa by the. The pterygopalatine fossa is a bilateral, coneshaped depression extending deep from the infratemporal fossa all the way to the nasal cavity via the sphenopalatine foramen. Thorough understanding of the appearance and location of the popliteal fossa masses one can reach a specific differential diagnosis in the majority of. It is located on the posterior side of the knee and is the main pathway for important structures moving from the thigh into the leg. The popliteal fossa is a diamondshaped intermuscular area found on the posterior aspect of the knee joint 3. Popliteal fossa definition of popliteal fossa by medical. The popliteal fossa or space is a lozengeshaped space, at the back of the kneejoint. A useful mnemonic to remember popliteal fossa anatomy medialtolateral arrangement is. Striae or stretch marks result from stretching of the skin, or other influences such as cushing syndrome.
Fossa poplitea definition of fossa poplitea by medical. Anatomy, bony pelvis and lower limb, popliteal region ncbi. Rarely complications such as deep vein thrombosis, peripheral neuropathy, ischemia, or. The bottom is formed by the posterior capsule and the popliteus muscle.
Along with the muscles that form the borders the popliteal fossa also has a. Popliteal pulse is the most challenging pulse to sense amongst all the peripheral pulses. Structures within the popliteal fossa include, from superficial to deep. It lies in between laterally lateral intermuscular septum and medially posterior intermuscular compartment which is incomplete. This fossa is an important anatomical region because it provides passage for main vessels and nerves from the thigh to the leg. Popliteal fossa article about popliteal fossa by the free.
In the floor adductor magnus and vastus lateralis lies. This article will discuss the anatomical structure and contents of the popliteal fossa, followed by relevant clinical pathology. Hayder the popliteal fossa is a diamondshaped hollow on the back of the knee joint. Popliteal fossa synonyms, popliteal fossa pronunciation, popliteal fossa translation, english dictionary definition of popliteal fossa. 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. I arises near the superior angle of the popliteal fossa from sciatic n. A diagnostic approach to popliteal fossa masses sciencedirect. The bones of the popliteal fossa are the femur and the tibia. Popliteal fossa, also known as the popliteal space, is located behind the knee joint. These are two triangular projections of bone that arise from the central sphenoid body. Concentration music, study music, relaxing music for studying, soothing music, alpha waves, 161c duration. Middle cranial fossa boundaries contents teachmeanatomy. In this video well draw and take a look at the borders, contents, clinical.
A strain of the tendinous origins of one of the gastrocnemius heads may also be at fault. Popliteal fossa at university of north dakota studyblue. Popliteal fossa block this outpatient procedure numbs the lower leg with an injection of local anesthesia. The space is extremely dynamic, allowing for its neurovascular contents to move during the extreme range of motion produced by knee flexion and extension. The popliteal fossa is a diamondshaped region in the posterior aspect of the knee, 1 bordered superomedially by the semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles, and superolaterally by the biceps femoris. A bakers cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a type of fluid collection behind the knee. Most pregnant women experience striae at some point during their pregnancy. The popliteal fossa has many vital structures passing through it. A cystic mass in the popliteal fossa and its differential diagnosis article pdf available in archives of plastic surgery 424. Popliteal fossa definition,anatomy,location and borders. If the cyst breaks open, pain may significantly increase with swelling of the calf. Popliteal fossa syndrome the popliteal fossa syndrome is a pain syndrome of unknown cause or etiology.
Anatomical approach to clinical problems of popliteal fossa. This book is distributed under the terms of the creative commons. The middle cranial fossa consists of three bones the sphenoid bone and the two temporal bones its boundaries are as follows. May 11, 2020 the popliteal fossa is a diamondshaped depression located posterior to the knee joint. As the femoral artery passes the inguinal ligament it lays lateral to the femoral vein. When the leg is in full extension the roof of the popliteal fossa becomes very taught making it difficult to feel and identify structures inside. Characteristics of the bifurcation of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa. We present a rare case report of a 45yearold man with a large, painful swelling in his left popliteal fossa. Popliteal fossa block southern california orthopedic. Typically, it is used for surgery on the lower leg, ankle and foot. Popliteal fossa syndrome advanced therapy institute.
This region can develop many clinical complications in the vascular, nervous, lymphatics, adipose. The medial and lateral gastrocnemius heads form the inferomedial and inferolateral borders, respectively. The first is the oblique popliteal ligament, which passes from the insertion of the semimembranosus on the posteromedial aspect of the tibia obliquely and laterally upward towards the insertion of the lateral head of. This picture shows striae in the popliteal fossa the area on the back side of the leg at the knee joint. The borders of the lozengeshaped popliteal fossa are formed by the gastrocnemii, the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles. Popliteal fossa is a diamondshaped hollow found on the rear side of the knee joint.
The popliteal artery is more susceptible to aneurysm than every other artery within the body. Popliteal fossa and block saq 11 anatomy for the frca. Medically, popliteal aneurysm shows as a pulsatile midline swelling in the popliteal fossa. This article will discuss the anatomical structure and the contents of the popliteal fossa, followed by. What form the antpost borders of the popliteal fossa. 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. It is the main path in which structures move from the thigh to the leg. Softtissue popliteal masses can be evaluated using physical examinations and imaging studies, such as computed tomography ct or. Laterally it is bounded by the biceps femoris above, and by the plantaris and the lateral head of the gastrocnemius below. 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. Back of thigh and popliteal fossa it extends from lower part of gluteal region to back of knee joint up to popliteal fossa. Popliteal synovial cysts, also known as bakers cysts, are a common occurrence in adults and children. Test your anatomy answers can be found in the functional anatomic palpation system facebook group in the discussions section go to the discussion entitled anatomy quiz.
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