Which nerve innervates the popliteus?

Which nerve innervates the popliteus?

• A. Obturator Nerve
• B. Tibial Nerve
• C. Femoral Nerve
• D. Common Fibular Nerve

Answer: (B)

The popliteus is innervated by the tibial nerve. This nerve is a branch of the sciatic that travels through the posterior leg and provides motor to most of the muscles in the deep posterior compartment, including the popliteus, gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris. The popliteus itself originates on the lateral femoral condyle and inserts on the posterior tibia, and its action is to help unlock the knee joint to begin flexion. Other nerves listed do not supply this muscle: the obturator nerve targets thigh adductors, the femoral nerve targets the anterior thigh, and the common fibular (peroneal) nerve targets the lateral and anterior compartments of the leg and the short head of the biceps femoris.

The popliteus is innervated by the tibial nerve. This nerve is a branch of the sciatic that travels through the posterior leg and provides motor to most of the muscles in the deep posterior compartment, including the popliteus, gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris. The popliteus itself originates on the lateral femoral condyle and inserts on the posterior tibia, and its action is to help unlock the knee joint to begin flexion. Other nerves listed do not supply this muscle: the obturator nerve targets thigh adductors, the femoral nerve targets the anterior thigh, and the common fibular (peroneal) nerve targets the lateral and anterior compartments of the leg and the short head of the biceps femoris.