A morphometric study of the popliteus myotendinous complex with its clinical aspects

Abstract

Background. The aim of the present study is to study the morphometry of the muscle-tendon complex of popliteus, and to define a relatively safe zone in posterior approach to knee or popliteal region with respect to the bony landmarks for tibial nerve and nerve to popliteus. Method. 20 cadaveric legs were used for dissection. The attachments of popliteus, length and width of tendon as well as muscle belly, were defined and noted. An imaginary line extending from the medial to lateral epicondyles of femur was taken as the intercondylar line. The distance of tibial nerve and nerve to popliteus at lower border of popliteus to both the medial and lateral epicondyle of femur was measured. Result. The attachments of popliteus to femur, capsule of knee joint, tibia and fascia over popliteus were present in all 20 (100%) specimens. A distance of 65 mm and 40 mm from the medial and lateral epicondyle can be considered as safe zone for the tibial nerve and nerve to popliteus at lower border of popliteus in posterior approach to knee joint. Conclusion. Knowledge about morphometry of the popliteus and safe zone can help the orthopaedicians in reconstructive surgeries and rehabilitation procedures involving popliteal region.

Morphological study of the popliteus muscle-tendon complex in formalin embalmed adult cadavers

“…This is very important as it stabilizes the posterolateral aspect of the femoro-tibial articulation. According to Vani and Raveendranath, 9 the length and width of tendon of popliteus was 35.12 mm and 9.52 mm, which was comparable to the dimensions by Jung et al 10 and Osti et al 11 LaPrade et al 12 reported that the length of popliteus tendon measures 54.5 mm. In our research, the same parameters were 24.85 AE 2.15 mm and the width at the musculotendinous junction was 8.5AE1.15 mm.…”

“…This was almost parallel to the findings of Vani and Raveendranath. 9 In the present study, this dimension was not performed and the morphometric data of the length and width of popliteus is different in our study in comparison to previous studies, as the different points were used for the measurements. The positive outcome of this anatomical research was we measured the length of the popliteus at both the upper and lower borders.…”

“…These dimensions are slightly lower in comparison to the data by Vani and Raveendranath. 9 In their study, the distance of distal attachment of popliteus from its musculotendinous junction was 107.14AE13.45 mm and widest part of popliteus measured 32.38AE4.33 mm. Kurtoglu et al 13 reported in their study that popliteus muscle belly length and width were 107.14mm and 32.38mm.…”