Topics

Topic

design image
Groove for popliteus muscle

The groove for the popliteus muscle is a distinct osseous depression located on the lateral femoral condyle that accommodates the popliteus tendon as it courses from its femoral attachment toward the posterior tibia. This groove plays a critical role in guiding the popliteus tendon and facilitating its function in knee stability and unlocking the knee during flexion.

It is an important anatomical landmark in knee anatomy, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and cross-sectional imaging.

Synonyms

  • Popliteal groove

  • Popliteus sulcus of the femur

Location

  • Situated on the lateral femoral condyle

  • Located on the posterolateral aspect of the distal femur

  • Inferior and posterior to the lateral epicondyle

  • Anterior to the posterior articular surface of the lateral condyle

  • Leads into the popliteal hiatus of the knee joint capsule

Anatomical components

  • Osseous sulcus on the lateral femoral condyle

  • Femoral attachment site of the popliteus tendon

  • Popliteal hiatus (adjacent capsular opening)

  • Synovial-lined groove for tendon gliding

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Articular surface of the lateral femoral condyle

Posteriorly:

  • Posterolateral capsule of the knee joint

Medially:

  • Intercondylar fossa

Laterally:

  • Lateral femoral condylar cortex

Inferiorly:

  • Course of the popliteus tendon toward the tibia

Superiorly:

  • Lateral femoral epicondyle region

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs:

  • Groove: Not directly visualized due to overlapping osseous structures

  • Indirect assessment: Inferred from contour of lateral femoral condyle

  • Best seen: On oblique or tunnel knee views in some projections

CT appearance (Pre-contrast)

Non-contrast CT:

  • Popliteus groove: Shallow, well-defined cortical depression on the lateral femoral condyle

  • Cortical margins: Smooth and continuous

  • Trabecular bone: Normal cancellous pattern beneath the groove

  • Tendon: Not directly visualized, but groove position is well delineated

  • Utility: Excellent for bony morphology and spatial orientation

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal

  • Femoral marrow: High signal

  • Popliteus groove: Visualized as a concavity in the lateral condyle

  • Popliteus tendon: Low-signal band within or adjacent to the groove

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortical margins: Low signal

  • Joint fluid: High signal outlining the groove

  • Popliteus tendon: Low signal against bright fluid

  • Articular cartilage: Intermediate to high signal lining adjacent surfaces

STIR:

  • Bone marrow: Fat-suppressed signal

  • Joint fluid: Bright signal

  • Popliteus tendon: Low signal, clearly outlined

  • Peritendinous region: Well visualized due to fat suppression

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Bone marrow: Suppressed fat signal

  • Popliteus tendon: Low-signal linear structure

  • Joint fluid and synovium: High signal

MRI image

Groove for popliteus muscle mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

CT image

Groove for popliteus muscle ct anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

CT VRT 3D image

Groove for popliteus muscle ct 3d