Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

popliteus

American  
[pop-lit-ee-uhs, pop-li-tee-] / pɒpˈlɪt i əs, ˌpɒp lɪˈti- /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

poplitei
  1. a thin, flat, triangular muscle in back of the knee, the action of which assists in bending the knee and in rotating the leg toward the body.


Etymology

Origin of popliteus

1695–1705; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin poplit- (stem of poples ) knee joint, back of the knee + -eus -eous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Furthermore, the marks are located where the leg’s popliteus muscle begins, near the calf.

From Scientific American • Jun. 28, 2023

Kings: Huerter returned after a two-game absence because of a right popliteus strain in his knee.

From Washington Times • Mar. 25, 2023

There are four deep muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg as well: the popliteus, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, and tibialis posterior.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The superficial posterior compartment has the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris; and the deep posterior compartment has the popliteus, tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, and flexor hallucis longus.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The popliteus arises from the external surface of the external condyle of the femur.

From Artistic Anatomy of Animals by Cuyer, ?douard