Which muscle unlocks the knee by rotating the femur relative to the tibia?

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Multiple Choice

Which muscle unlocks the knee by rotating the femur relative to the tibia?

Explanation:
Unlocking the knee involves reversing the screw‑home mechanism that tightens the joint in full extension. The popliteus is the muscle that does this rotation at the knee. It attaches from the lateral femoral condyle to the posterior tibia, and when it contracts it causes rotation between the femur and tibia—effectively unlocking the knee so flexion can begin. The other muscles crossing the knee mainly flex or extend the joint but do not actively rotate the femur relative to the tibia to unlock it.

Unlocking the knee involves reversing the screw‑home mechanism that tightens the joint in full extension. The popliteus is the muscle that does this rotation at the knee. It attaches from the lateral femoral condyle to the posterior tibia, and when it contracts it causes rotation between the femur and tibia—effectively unlocking the knee so flexion can begin. The other muscles crossing the knee mainly flex or extend the joint but do not actively rotate the femur relative to the tibia to unlock it.

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