Oblique popliteal ligament

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Oblique popliteal ligament
Right knee-joint. Posterior view. (Oblique popliteal ligament visible at center.)
Details
Fromlateral epicondyle of the femur, lateral condyle of femur
Tomedial condyle of tibia
Identifiers
Latinligamentum popliteum obliquum
TA98A03.6.08.013
TA21899
FMA44582
Anatomical terminology

The oblique popliteal ligament (posterior ligament) is a broad, flat, fibrous ligament on the posterior knee.[1] It is an extension of the tendon of the semimembranosus muscle.[1][2] It attaches onto the intercondylar fossa and lateral condyle of the femur.[2] It reinforces the posterior central portion of the knee joint capsule.[3]

Anatomy

The oblique popliteal ligament is formed as a lateral expansion of the tendon of the semimembranosus muscle[2] and represents one of the muscle's five insertions.[citation needed] The ligament blends with the posterior portion of the knee joint capsule.[2] It exhibits a large opening through which nerves and vessels pass.[3]

Attachments

The ligament extends superolaterally from the semimembranosus tendon to attach onto the intercondylar fossa and lateral condyle of the femur.[2][3]

Relations

The oblique popliteal ligament forms part of the floor of the popliteal fossa;[citation needed] the popliteal artery lies upon the ligament.[2] The ligament is pierced by posterior division of the obturator nerve, as well as the middle genicular nerve, the middle genicular artery, and the middle genicular vein.[citation needed]

Clinical significance

The oblique popliteal ligament may be damaged, causing a

conservative management.[4]

The oblique popliteal ligament may be cut during arthroscopic meniscus repair surgery.[5]

Additional images

  • Sagittal section of right knee-joint.
    Sagittal section of right knee-joint.

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 340 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links