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Dissection of posterior aspect of left thigh

Deep relations of sciatic nerve in popliteal fossa

Image #183-5

KEYWORDS: Muscles and tendons, Thigh, Vasculature.

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Dissection of posterior aspect of left thigh

Deep relations of sciatic nerve in popliteal fossa

The popliteal fossa is shown in view 183-1 with its contents exposed in their normal relations. In the present stage of the dissection the hamstring muscles have been widely separated, the gastrocnemius has been dissected, and the tibial nerve has been retracted laterally to reveal the course of the popliteal artery and vein. Lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels are preserved within the fossa.

1 .	Iliotibial tract (covering vastus lateralis muscle)
2 .	Biceps femoris muscle
3 .	Common peroneal nerve
4 .	Tibial nerve (retracted laterally)
5 .	Popliteal artery (upper pointer indicates muscular branch)
6 .	Popliteal vein
7 .	Lateral cutaneous sural nerve
8 .	Gastrocnemius muscle (lateral head)
9 .	Upper pointer: Medial cutaneous sural nerve Lower pointer: Lesser saphenous vein
10 .	Perforating artery
11 .	Muscular branch of sciatic nerve (to semimembranosus muscle)
12 .	Adductor hiatus
13 .	Semimembranosus muscle
14 .	Gracilis muscle
15 .	Semitendinosus muscle (retracted medially)
16 .	Popliteal lymph node
17 .	Sartorius muscle
18 .	Muscular branch of tibial nerve
19 .	Saphenous nerve
20 .	Gastrocnemius muscle
21 .	Sural artery and vein