Subpopliteal recess

The popliteus bursa is a synovial lined knee expansion or recess and located in the posterolateral corner of the knee.

Terminology

The popliteus bursa is also known as subpopliteal recess .

Gross anatomy

It is an expansion of the synovial membrane positioned between the posterior portion of the lateral meniscus and can extend up to 1 cm below the joint line. Its anteromedial wall is formed by the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and its posterolateral border by the popliteus tendon. Superior and inferior boundaries consist of the superior and inferior popliteal fascicles. The posterior part of the bursa is of ovoid shape and the more anterior and lateral part forms a rather rhomboid shape .

Variant anatomy

Rarely the politeus tendon takes and intraarticular course that is it is located within the recess 1.

Related pathology

Distortion or absence of the politeal recess or bursa can be associated with the following conditions 1:

• meniscal tears of the lateral meniscus
• discoid meniscus
• adhesive capsulitis

Expansion can be due to to the following pathologies :

• intraarticular loose bodies e.g. due to synovial chondromatosis
• pigmented villonodular synovitis

Siehe auch:

• Bursa infrapatellaris profunda
• Recessus des Kniegelenks