GLOSSARY

The popliteus is a small, flat, triangular muscle deep in the back of the knee, known as the “key that unlocks the knee”.

Attachments and Innervation

• Origin: the lateral surface of the lateral femoral condyle, via a tendon that lies within the joint capsule beneath the lateral collateral ligament; it also attaches to the lateral meniscus.
• Insertion: the posterior surface of the tibia above the soleal line.
• Nerve: the tibial nerve (L4–S1).

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