Anatomical study on the proximal attachments of the human popliteus muscle.

The anatomical study of the proximal attachments of the human popliteus muscle was performed in 25 knees obtained from the dissection room cadavers, of the Anatomy Department of the São Paulo University Medical School. Our findings suggest that the p.m. has four proximal attachments, the condylar, meniscal, capsular and fibular. The muscle can be divided into a lateral portion whose fibers are attached in the lateral condyle of the femur by means of the popliteal tendon. A medial portion whose deep fibers are attached in the posterior part of the lateral meniscus and the superficial ones in the knee capsule; and finally the fibular attachment that appears to have a philogenetic meaning.