Popliteus (Musculus popliteus)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
A triangular muscle filling the popliteal fossa floor, from the lateral femoral condyle to the posterior tibia; it unlocks the fully extended knee by precise medial rotation before flexion.
Origin & insertion
Lateral femoral condyle inside the capsule and the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus.
Action
Medially rotates the tibia on the fixed femur, opening the screw-home lock and protecting the knee from hyperextension.
Innervation
Tibial nerve (L4–S1).
Clinical notes
Its posterior knee pain after downhill walking or running mimics meniscal tears; chronic strain links downhill gait to fine posterior aching.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Popliteus?
A triangular muscle filling the popliteal fossa floor, from the lateral femoral condyle to the posterior tibia; it unlocks the fully extended knee by precise medial rotation before flexion.
Why is the Popliteus clinically important?
Its posterior knee pain after downhill walking or running mimics meniscal tears; chronic strain links downhill gait to fine posterior aching.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details