Anat Cell Biol.  2010 Jun;43(2):165-168. 10.5115/acb.2010.43.2.165.

Shape and innervation of popliteus muscle

• Hwang K
• Lee KM
• Han SH
• Kim SG

• KMID: 2168890
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2010.43.2.165

Abstract

The aim of this study was to delineate the shape of the popliteus muscle and determine the correct motor point site for treating spasticity. A total of 22 legs from 13 fresh Korean cadavers were evaluated. The x-axis was set as a transverse line across the lateral and medial epicondyle of the femur and the y-axis as a vertical line at the midpoint of the medial malleolus of the tibia and lateral malleolus of the fibula. The popliteus muscle is an obtuse triangle in shape. Superior, medial, and inferior angles were 27.2+/-4.3degrees, 114.8+/-19.8degrees, and 38.0+/-18.8degrees respectively. The lengths of the superior, medial, and lateral sides of the triangle were 7.6+/-1.0 cm, 6.2+/-1.0 cm, and 11.9+/-1.5 cm respectively. Nerve branches ran superficially on the periosteum of the tibia and entered the popliteus on its superficial surface. The diverging point of the nerve branch entered the popliteus from the tibial nerve located at the midline of the popliteal fossa and 17% of the leg length above the intercondylar line. Most nerve entry points (83.3%) were within a 2.0x3.0 cm rectangle with the center located at -1.0 cm (-7%) on the x-axis and -3.3 cm (-9%) on the y-axis.

Keyword

Popliteus muscle; muscle spasticity; denervation; anatomy

MeSH Terms

Cadaver
Denervation
Femur
Fibula
Leg
Muscle Spasticity
Muscles
Periosteum
Tibia
Tibial Nerve

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Rectangular coordinates: x-axis crosses over the lateral and medial epicondyle of the femur; y-axis accords with a vertical mid-line between the medial malleous of the tibia and lateral malleolus of the fibula.

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  Fig. 2 Diverging point (arrow) of the nerve branch to the popliteus from the tibial nerve: nerve entry points (arrow heads) in the popliteus muscle (P).

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  Fig. 3 Triangular popliteus: superior, medial, and inferior angles were 27.2±4.3°, 114.8±19.8°, and 38.0±18.8° respectively; superior, medial, and lateral sides of the triangle were 7.6±1.0 cm, 6.2±1.0 cm, and 11.9 ±1.5 cm respectively.

• 

  Fig. 4 Most nerve entry points (83.3%) were within a 2.0 by 3.0 cm rectangle with the center located at -1.0 cm (-7%) on the x-axis and -3.3 cm (-9%) on the y-axis.

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  Fig. 5 Nerve branches (arrow heads) running superficially on the periosteum of the tibia entering the popliteus on its superficial surface about 1 cm distal to its superior border. T: tibia, P: popliteus, TN: tibial nerve.

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