Unlocking of knee is done by which muscle: September 2009, March 2013 (d, e, h)
The question is about which muscle is responsible for unlocking the knee. I remember that the knee joint is a hinge joint, and unlocking refers to the initial movement that allows the knee to straighten after being bent. When the knee is flexed, the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) blocks hyperextension. To unlock the knee and allow extension, a specific muscle must rotate the tibia slightly, releasing the PCL from its blocking position.
The gracilis, semitendinosus, and sartorius muscles are part of the hamstrings and medial structures. Wait, the popliteus muscle is known for unlocking the knee. The popliteus is a small muscle located in the posterior compartment of the leg. When the knee is flexed, the popliteus contracts, causing internal rotation of the tibia, which unlocks the knee by releasing the PCL. So the correct answer should be popliteus.
Now, for the incorrect options. If the options were other muscles like the gracilis, semitendinosus, sartorius, or maybe the gastrocnemius, those are not involved in unlocking. The gracilis and sartorius are more involved in hip adduction and knee flexion. The semitendinosus is part of the hamstrings and helps in knee flexion and hip extension. The gastrocnemius is part of the calf muscle, helping in plantar flexion and knee flexion. None of these unlock the knee.
The clinical pearl here is that the popliteus is crucial for initiating knee extension after flexion. Without it, the knee would remain locked in flexion. This is a high-yield fact for exams, often tested in musculoskeletal questions. So the correct answer is D, assuming the options listed D as popliteus.
**Core Concept**
The "unlocking of the knee" refers to the initial rotational movement that allows the knee to extend after being flexed. This is primarily facilitated by the **popliteus muscle**, which rotates the tibia medially to release the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) from its "locked" position during full extension.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The popliteus muscle acts as a key **unlocking muscle** by internally rotating the tibia relative to the femur when the knee is flexed. This rotation relieves tension on the PCL, enabling the knee to begin extending. It is innervated by the **tibial nerve** and is critical for smooth knee joint mechanics. The popliteus also functions as a **synergist** in knee flexion and stabilizes the posterior capsule.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Gracilis is a medial thigh muscle involved in hip adduction and knee flexion, not unlocking.
**Option B:** Semitendinosus (hamstring) assists in knee flexion and hip extension but does not unlock the knee.
**Option C:** Gastrocnemius contributes to plantar flexion and