Genesis Of the tendon of the Popliteus muscle

Object of Study The genesis of the tendon of the popliteus muscle Summary of Results The genesis of the origin of the popliteus is central to understanding the morphology of the postero‐lateral aspect of the knee joint. The popliteus muscle and its tendon have separate evolutionary origins.They get connected in the course of evolution. The tendon is not present in reptiles. It evolved into its present form in humans by incorporating various structures of the lateral aspect of the knee that disappear resulting in its formation. The most important of these is the femoro‐fibular meniscus . This work provides proof of the genesis of the popliteus tendon and delineates which of its surrounding structures it evolved from. Origins of the arcuate popliteal ligament and the short lateral ligament are also discussed. The disappearance of structures previously existing in the post‐lateral aspect of the knee are also mentioned and the relevance to this work delineated. Statement of Conclusions I have provided evidence that the popliteus tendon has evolved from the femoro‐fibular meniscus . The adjoining short lateral ligament and the arcuate ligament are both evolutionarily related to the tendon. Various dissections form part of the evidence chain. The femoro‐fibular meniscus gets incorporated into the tendon of the popliteus while it climbs up from a sub‐genual position to a supra‐genual one in the course of evolution. The proximal attachment of the popliteus makes possible the 'unlocking action' of the muscle in the upright walking human which is not possible in lower vertebrates where the muscle is sub‐genual. This is the the major teleological explanation of the climb of the popliteus tendon to it's present proximal attachment in the lateral aspect of the intercondylar fossa. Grant Funding Source Self