Musculus popliteus minor, also known as the minor popliteal muscle, is a small muscle located at the back of the knee joint. The term "musculus" refers to a muscle, while "popliteus" refers to its location in the area known as the popliteal fossa. The popliteal fossa is the hollow at the back of the knee, bounded by various muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
The musculus popliteus minor is a thin, triangular muscle that arises from the lateral condyle of the femur, which is the bony prominence on the outer side of the lower end of the thigh bone, called the femur. From its origin, the muscle descends slightly toward the inner side of the knee joint, where it inserts on to the posterior surface of the tibia, which is the larger bone of the lower leg.
The main function of the musculus popliteus minor is to aid in the rotation of the lower leg at the knee joint. When the leg is straight, the muscle helps to unlock the knee joint by laterally rotating the tibia, allowing flexion of the knee to occur more easily. It also helps to stabilize the knee during weight-bearing activities by maintaining proper alignment between the femur and the tibia.
In summary, the musculus popliteus minor is a small triangular muscle located at the back of the knee joint. It plays an important role in the rotation and stability of the knee, helping to unlock the joint and maintain proper alignment between the thigh bone and the lower leg bone.
