page_title: Popliteus muscle
hierarchical_section_title: Popliteus muscle
caption_attribution_description: English: Popliteus muscle of the posterior compartment of leg. 日本語: 下腿の後区分の深部にある膝窩筋。
context_page_description: The popliteus muscle in the leg is used for unlocking the knees when walking, by laterally rotating the femur on the tibia during the closed chain portion of the gait cycle. In open chain movements, the popliteus muscle medially rotates the tibia on the femur. It is also used when sitting down and standing up. It is the only muscle in the posterior compartment of the lower leg that acts just on the knee and not on the ankle. The gastrocnemius muscle acts on both joints.
context_section_description: The popliteus muscle in the leg is used for unlocking the knees when walking, by laterally rotating the femur on the tibia during the closed chain portion of the gait cycle (one with the foot in contact with the ground). In open chain movements (when the involved limb is not in contact with the  ground), the popliteus muscle medially rotates the tibia on the femur. It is also used when sitting down and standing up.  It is the only muscle in the posterior (back) compartment of the lower leg that acts just on the knee and not on the ankle. The gastrocnemius muscle acts on both joints.
caption: Popliteus muscle (shown in red)
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