12. The Knee & Popliteal Fossa

Question 1

What are the major bones found in the knee joint?

Answer 1

patella (used as hinge), tibia, femur

(not fibula!)

Question 2

What is found at the inferior view of the femur?

Answer 2

lateral and medial condyle and trochlea

Question 3

in general, what type of joint it the knee? Describe the joint

Answer 3

Hinge: flexion+extension and a bit of rotation bc its a modified hinge joint

Question 4

Identify the three 3 ligaments/articulations of the knee. What are their functions?

Answer 4

1. blue: quadricep tendon (patellar ligament)
2. green: lateral collateral ligament (lateral epicondyle to head of fibula)
3. orange: medial collateral ligament (medial epicondyle medial condyle of tibia)

Medial & lateral collateral ligaments: prevent twist movement of knee

medial lig: resists lateral rotation of knee

lateral lig: resists medial rotation of knee

Question 5

Which ligaments resist a lateral blow to the knee? medial blow?

Answer 5

lateral blow: medial collateral ligament

medial blow: lateral collateral ligament

Question 6

Identify these two parts of the superior view of the tibia.

Answer 6

top: posterior intercondylar area
bottom: anterior intercondylar area

Question 7

Identify these two ligaments and their function.

Answer 7

Purple: posterior cruciate ligament: from posterior intercondylar area to front of tibia: resist anterior translation of knee

Red: anterior cruciate ligament: from anterior intercondylar area to back of femur: resist posterior translation of knee

Question 8

Identify the 3 structures and their functions.

Answer 8

Blue: posterior meniscofemoral ligament = anchors lateral meniscus:

yellow:

1. lateral meniscus: thicker, smaller: more mobile
2. medial meniscus

Question 9

Identify whats in grey:

Answer 9

transverse ligament: holds down medial meniscus

Question 10

What occurs to the medial meniscus with flexion? extension?

Answer 10

flexion: moves post
extension: moves ant

Question 11

What are different injuries that may occur to your meniscus?

Answer 11

lateral minescus moves making it more prone to injury

1. Bucket Handle Tear: injury to medial meniscus: ridge is able to lift up
2. Radial tear: cut radius of medial meniscus
3. unhappy triad: multiple tear: torn medial collateral lig & ACL &medial meniscus

due to medial blow w lateral rotatio

Question 12

Identify the following parts:

Answer 12

Turquoise: joint capsule (contain bursae)

Green: Bursae= ball of fluid under tendon that allow fluidity of movement

Yelloe: infrapatellar fat pad

Question 13

What are the various borders of the popliteal fossa? (superior, inferior, anterior)

Answer 13

superior: semimembranosus (medial) & bicep femoris (lateral)
inferior: gastrocnemius & plantaris (small hidden one)
anterior: popliteal surface of femur & popliteus m

Question 14

What is the popliteal fossa?

Answer 14

hollow of the knee (posterior)

Question 15

Identify this muscle.

Answer 15

POPLITEUS

ori: lateral epicondyle of femur
ins: post aspect of tibia (above soleal line)
inn: tibial n
act: lateral rotation = unlocking (iniate flexion)

Question 16

What is locking and unlocking?

Answer 16

(when tibia is fixed & weight bearing)

Unlocking=flexion: lateral flexion of femur

Locking=extension: medial rotation of femur

Question 17

What are the contents of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 17

1. popliteal a
2. popliteal v gives off small saphenous v
3. tibial n: runs down middle (does posterior leg) & becomes sural cutaneous n in leg
4. common fibular n: runs on outside
5. popliteal lympgh nodes

Question 18

Explain the branching of the sciatic nerve from thigh to leg.

Answer 18

Question 19

Explain the branching of the popliteal artery.

Answer 19