What Is the Popliteal Fossa?
The popliteal fossa or “knee pit” is a depression at the back of the knee. When the knee is fully extended, this area of the anatomy resembles a small bowl nestled into the back of the knee, and as the knee is bent, the popliteal fossa folds in on itself. It’s very easy to palpate this area of the anatomy and find its boundaries by reaching down and feeling behind the knee, for those who are curious. This roughly diamond-shaped structure is bordered by a number of muscles of the leg. It houses the popliteal vein and corresponding popliteal artery, along with several lymph nodes and the common peroneal nerve. As people may note if they feel the popliteal fossa, the structure is bordered on either side by tough tendons which are part of the network of tendons used to move and bend the legs.
