Which muscles form the medial wall of the popliteal fossa and are tested by 'standing on tiptoe'?

• A Semimembranosus and biceps femoris form the floor
• B Semimembranosus and semitendinosus are the medial wall; gastrocnemius and soleus test plantarflexion ✓
• C Popliteus and plantaris form both walls
• D Semimembranosus and biceps femoris form the medial and lateral walls respectively

Explanation

The popliteal fossa boundaries: medial wall — semimembranosus (and semitendinosus); lateral wall — biceps femoris superiorly and plantaris + lateral head of gastrocnemius inferiorly; floor — popliteal surface of femur, capsule of knee joint, and popliteus muscle. The test of plantarflexion ('tiptoeing') evaluates gastrocnemius and soleus (triceps surae), which form the inferolateral wall/floor but are primarily tested for their function via the tibial nerve (S1, S2). This question links the anatomy of the fossa walls with clinical motor testing.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.