ii4 OUTLINES OF ANATOMY. 



Pyriformis, 375. (374) 



Origin. Insertion. Structure. 



Popliteal Space, 1225-6-7-8. (1200-1-2-3-4) 



The popliteal space is the lozenge-shaped space or hollow placed behind the knee- 

 joint. 



Hollow of this space. 

 Popliteal tendons. Bursse. 

 Popliteal vessels : 



The artery. Popliteal vein. 

 Superior articular arteries ; inferior. 

 The external saphenous vein. 

 Popliteal glands. 



Expose the popliteal space by a median incision extending from a point six inches above, to one four 

 inches below the joint; make transverse incisions at each end of the median incision. Turn the skin 

 each way from the median incision, exposing the superficial fascia ; in the superficial fascia will be 

 found terminal branches of the small sciatic nerve and the upper portion of the internal saphenous 

 vein. 



Branches of small sciatic nerve, 856-7. (837) 

 Short or external saphenous vein, 685. (669-71) 

 Deep fascia of the leg, 390. (388) 



Turn off the deep fascia in the same manner as the integument, carefully remove the fat and connec- 

 tive tissue from the space, exposing the muscular boundaries and the structures in the space. 



The muscular boundaries of the popliteal space are : 



Above Externally : Biceps 384 . (382) 



Internally: Semi-tendinosus 385 . (383) Semi-membranosus 386 (384) Gra- 

 cilis 383 . (381) Sartorius (369) 368 Tendon of adductor mag- 

 nus 382 . (380) 



Below Externally: Plantaris 393 , (391) and outer head of gastrocnemius. 

 Internally: Inner head of gastrocnemius 391 . (389) 



At the upper end of the popliteal space the great sciatic nerve divides into two large trunks, the internal 

 and the external popliteal nerves. 



The internal popliteal nerve, 86 1. (841) 



Cutaneous branch or nervus communicans tibialis. 



Muscular branches. 



Articular branches. 

 The external popliteal nerve, 859. (839) 



Cutaneous branches. Nervus communicans peronei. 



Articular branches. Recurrent articular nerve. 

 The popliteal vein, 686. (671) 



Chief variations of the popliteal. 



Popliteal artery, 621-2-3. (609-10-11) 



Relations: In front. Behind. Inner side. Outer side. 



Principal variations in the popliteal. 



Branches of the popliteal artery, 623-4-5. (612-13) 

 Cutaneous branches. 

 Muscular or sural branches : 



Upper muscular or superior sural. 

 Inferior muscular or sural branches. 

 Articular: 



Superior external articular. 

 Superior internal articular. 

 Inferior internal articular. 

 Inferior external articular. 

 Azygos articular. 



Geniculate branch of the obturator nerve, 850. (831) 

 Popliteal glands, 707. (691) 



