Origin
Lateral surface of lateral condyle of femur
Insertion
Upper part of posterior surface of tibia
Actions
Rotates leg medially, flexes leg.
The Popliteus comes into action especially at the commencement of the movement of flexion of the knee; by its contraction the leg is rotated inward, or, if the tibia be fixed, the thigh is rotated outward, and the knee-joint is unlocked.
Nerve
Tibial nerve (L4, L5, S1)
Note
This muscle stabilizes the knee by preventing lateral rotation of the tibia during medial rotation of the thigh while the foot is planted. Knee stabilization allows standing without undue fatigue to the quadriceps.
