Question:medium
True about popliteus are all except?
True about popliteus are all except?
Show Hint
Popliteus is the muscle that reverses the screw-home mechanism.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Flexor of knee
- Intracapsular origin
- Supplied by tibial nerve
- Causes locking of knee
Show Solution
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Approach this as a 'pick the wrong fact' question about popliteus, the small deep muscle behind the upper tibia.
Step 2: Confirm the true facts. Its femoral origin lies inside the joint capsule (intracapsular), the tibial nerve innervates it, and it assists knee flexion. These match options (a), (b), and (c).
Step 3: Focus on its signature action. In the screw-home mechanism the knee LOCKS during the last few degrees of extension; popliteus reverses this by rotating the femur laterally on the planted tibia, thereby UNLOCKING the joint so flexion can begin.
Step 4: Since popliteus unlocks rather than locks the knee, the statement that it causes locking is the false one.
\[\boxed{\text{Causes locking of knee (false statement)}}\]
Step 2: Confirm the true facts. Its femoral origin lies inside the joint capsule (intracapsular), the tibial nerve innervates it, and it assists knee flexion. These match options (a), (b), and (c).
Step 3: Focus on its signature action. In the screw-home mechanism the knee LOCKS during the last few degrees of extension; popliteus reverses this by rotating the femur laterally on the planted tibia, thereby UNLOCKING the joint so flexion can begin.
Step 4: Since popliteus unlocks rather than locks the knee, the statement that it causes locking is the false one.
\[\boxed{\text{Causes locking of knee (false statement)}}\]
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