Muscle
Popliteus
"Unlocks" the knee
High-yield
Unlocks the knee by rotating the femur laterally on the tibia (medially rotating the tibia when non-weight-bearing). Tibial nerve.
Overview
A deep muscle of the popliteal fossa floor that laterally rotates the femur on the fixed tibia to unlock the fully extended knee for flexion.
Reference facts
- Origin
Lateral condyle of the femur and lateral meniscus
- Insertion
Posterior surface of the proximal tibia (above the soleal line)
- Action
Unlocks the extended knee; medially rotates the tibia (or laterally rotates the femur when weight-bearing)
- Innervation
Tibial nerve (L4, L5, S1)
- Blood supply
Popliteal / posterior tibial arteries