Popliteus
Lower legs
Deep muscle — it lies under other muscles. X-ray makes the muscles over it see-through.
- Origin
- Lateral condyle of the femur and the lateral meniscus
- Insertion
- Back of the tibia above the soleal line
- Action
- Rotates the tibia inward to unlock the straightened knee; helps flex the knee
- Nerve supply
- Tibial nerve (L4–S1)
A small, flat muscle at the back of the knee. When you start bending a fully straightened knee, it twists the joint slightly to unlock it.
Popliteus anatomy page →