The popliteal fossa (sometimes referred to as hough, or kneepit in analogy to the cubital fossa) is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint. The bones of the popliteal fossa are the femur and the tibia.
Why is the back of my knee cap hurting?
Injury. Damage to a muscle, tendon, ligament, or other connective tissue could cause posterior knee pain. Such injuries can be acute or caused by overuse. Hamstring injuries, meniscus tears, and injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are three injuries that may cause pain in the back of the knee.
Whats behind the knee cap?
The back of the patella is covered with smooth cartilage. This helps the patella to glide smoothly over the lower part of the thighbone (femur) when you straighten your leg. Patellofemoral pain is a general term used for pain in the front (anterior) of the knee.
What structures are behind the knee?
The popliteal fossa is also composed of nerves (posterior femoral cutaneous, common peroneal and tibial), vascular structures (small saphenous vein, popliteal artery and popliteal vein), bursae, lymph nodes, and fat. The bursae of the knee are synovial-lined sacs that decrease the friction of moving structures.
What is the back of your leg called?
The leg from the knee to the ankle is called the crus or cnemis /ˈniːmɪs/. The calf is the back portion, and the tibia or shinbone together with the smaller fibula make up the front of the lower leg.
How do you relieve pain in the back of your knee?
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation If you have sudden, intense pain in the back of your knee, the doctor may recommend that you rest and apply ice to your knee. In some cases, your doctor may also ask you to elevate (prop up) your leg while you’re sitting down to help improve the blood flow in your leg.
How do you treat back of knee pain?
What ligament is under the kneecap?
The patellar tendon attaches the bottom of the kneecap (patella) to the top of the shinbone (tibia). When a structure connects one bone to another, it is actually a ligament, so the patellar tendon is sometimes called the patellar ligament.
What are the two ligaments behind the knee?
The ligament, located in the back of the knee, that controls backward movement of the tibia (shin bone). Medial collateral ligament (MCL). The ligament that gives stability to the inner knee. Lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
What is the anatomy of the leg?
The bones of the human leg, like those of other mammals, consist of a basal segment, the femur (thighbone); an intermediate segment, the tibia (shinbone) and the smaller fibula; and a distal segment, the pes (foot), consisting of tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges (toes).
