Which muscle originates from the lateral condyle of the femur?

Which muscle originates from the lateral condyle of the femur?

• A. Plantaris
• B. Gastrocnemius
• C. Soleus
• D. Popliteus

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is knowing exactly where muscles originate on the femur. The muscle that originates from the lateral femoral condyle is the popliteus. It sits at the back of the knee and attaches from the lateral femoral condyle to the posterior surface of the tibia. Its job is to help unlock the knee at the start of flexion, by initiating the rotation needed for movement. Plantaris does not come from the femoral condyles; it originates from the lateral supracondylar line of the femur, and its tendon runs down to join the Achilles. So it isn’t the correct choice for an origin located specifically at the lateral condyle. The gastrocnemius does attach near the condyles (both medial and lateral heads), but when identifying a muscle with a direct, specific origin on the lateral femoral condyle, popliteus is the one that fits that description.

The main idea here is knowing exactly where muscles originate on the femur. The muscle that originates from the lateral femoral condyle is the popliteus. It sits at the back of the knee and attaches from the lateral femoral condyle to the posterior surface of the tibia. Its job is to help unlock the knee at the start of flexion, by initiating the rotation needed for movement.

Plantaris does not come from the femoral condyles; it originates from the lateral supracondylar line of the femur, and its tendon runs down to join the Achilles. So it isn’t the correct choice for an origin located specifically at the lateral condyle. The gastrocnemius does attach near the condyles (both medial and lateral heads), but when identifying a muscle with a direct, specific origin on the lateral femoral condyle, popliteus is the one that fits that description.