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# Oblique popliteal ligament

The oblique popliteal ligament, an extension of a hamstring tendon, is the largest band reinforcing the back of the knee capsule.

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## What it is

A band crossing the back of the knee capsule.

## What it does

Reinforces the back of the joint and helps stop over-straightening.

## Key points

- Expansion of the [semimembranosus tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-semimembranosus/): the largest reinforcing band on the back of the knee capsule
- Part of the floor of the popliteal fossa, together with the popliteal surface of the [femur](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femur/) and the fascia over [popliteus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/popliteus-muscle/)
- Pierced by the middle genicular artery, which supplies the cruciate ligaments

## Key facts

**Attaches**
Expansion of semimembranosus tendon from posteromedial tibial condyle, running up and laterally to posterior capsule near lateral femoral condyle

**Function**
Reinforces posterior capsule; resists hyperextension; popliteal artery lies on it

**Tight in**
Knee hyperextension

## Relations

**Behind**
[Popliteal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/popliteal-artery/) lying directly on it, then the [popliteal vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/popliteal-vein/) and the [tibial nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tibial-nerve/)

**In front**
Posterior capsule over the femoral condyles and the intercondylar fossa

**Medial**
[Semimembranosus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/semimembranosus-muscle/) insertion on the posteromedial tibial condyle and the [medial head of gastrocnemius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-head-of-gastrocnemius/)

**Lateral**
[Lateral head of gastrocnemius](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-head-of-gastrocnemius/), where a fabella may sit

## How to find it

Deep in the floor of the popliteal fossa, not palpable; in a posterior approach to the knee it is reached after the popliteal vessels and tibial nerve are moved aside, running up and laterally from the semimembranosus insertion.

## On imaging

On axial MRI or ultrasound, a popliteal (Baker) cyst has a neck that passes between the semimembranosus tendon and the medial head of gastrocnemius near this ligament; sagittal MRI shows it as part of the thick posterior capsule.

## Clinical notes

- The gastrocnemius– [semimembranosus bursa](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/semimembranosus-bursa/) lies at its medial end; when distended it forms a popliteal (Baker) cyst
- A contracted posterior capsule, including this ligament, holds a fixed flexion deformity and may be released in knee replacement
- The popliteal artery lies directly on it, so posterior capsule surgery is done with the artery in view or protected

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## The oblique popliteal ligament is an expansion of which tendon?

The semimembranosus tendon; it is the largest reinforcing band on the back of the knee capsule.

## Which artery lies directly on the oblique popliteal ligament?

The popliteal artery, so posterior capsule surgery is done with the artery in view or protected.

## Which artery pierces the oblique popliteal ligament, and what does it supply?

The middle genicular artery, which supplies the cruciate ligaments.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
ligamentum popliteum obliquum TA2 1899

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Ligamento poplíteo oblicuo

**English (TA2)**
Oblique popliteal ligament

**Also called**
ligament of Bourgery · ligament of Winslow

## Related

- [Femur](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femur/)
- [Tibia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tibia/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Popliteal Region](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532891/); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Knee](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500017/); [9.6 Anatomy of Selected Synovial Joints](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/9-6-anatomy-of-selected-synovial-joints) (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022) · adapted, [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/oblique-popliteal-ligament/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/oblique-popliteal-ligament/