308 



THE INFERIOR EXTREMITY 



nerve previously dissected (p. 273). It descends in close 

 apposition to the popliteal artery. Other important contents 

 of the fossa are lymph-glands, some of which lie relatively 

 superficial, near the point where the small saphenous vein 



M. biceps femoris 



Common peroneal nerve 

 (O.T. ext. popliteal) 



A. genu superior lateralis 



Common trunk of lateral 



cutaneous nerve of the 



calf and anastomotic 



peroneal nerve 



Plantaris 



M. gastrocnemius 

 lateral head 



Medial cutaneous nerve 



of the calf 



(O.T. ramus com- 



municans tibialis) 



M. semitendinosus 



M. fsemimembranosus 

 Tendon of adductor magnus 



Popliteal artery 



Tibial nerve (int. popliteal) 



A. genu superior medialis 



Cut end of small 

 saphenous vein 

 Medial condyle of femur 

 Tendon of semitendinosus 

 M. gastrocnemius, medial head 

 - Tendon of gracilis 

 . Popliteal vein 



Nerve to popliteus muscle 



Tendon of plantaris muscle 

 Nerve to soleus 



Soleus 



FIG. 132. Dissection of the Left Popliteal Fossa. The proximal boundaries 

 have been pulled apart and the aponeurosis into which the two heads of 

 the gastrocnemius is attached has been split and the heads have been 

 displaced to their respective sides. 



pierces the popliteal fascia, but the majority are deeply 

 placed adjacent to the popliteal vein and artery. 



Dissection. Do not attempt to open up the popliteal fossa 

 and display its contents until its proximal boundaries have been 

 cleaned and their relationships to the fossa have been defined. 



