A study on the morphology of the popliteus muscle and arcuate popliteal ligament

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the origins and morphological features of the popliteus muscle in cadavers. In a sample of 40 lower limbs taken from cadavers the exact morphological features of the popliteus muscle were examined.
In 100% of the cases studied we noticed, apart from the known femoral origin from the lateral femoral epicondyle, a fibular origin from the styloid process of the head of the fibula directed obliquely and blending with the main femoral origin, forming the arms of a Y-shaped structure. In all the cases a capsular origin was presented, while in 91.67% an origin lateral to it from the superior border of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus was found. The capsular and meniscal origins formed the base of the Y-shaped structure that corresponded to the known arcuate ligament.
We consider that the additional origins of the popliteus muscle form the arcuate ligament, which is not a distinct anatomical structure as it is described in traditional anatomical textbooks. In addition, we have analysed the exact morphological features of the capsular, fibular and meniscal origins of the popliteal muscle.