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MSK > 17. Anatomy of the Knee > Flashcards

17. Anatomy of the Knee Flashcards

1
Q

What is the function of the popliteal fossa?

A

Allows transit of neurovascular structures from the thigh to the leg.

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2
Q

What are the following boundaries of the popliteal fossa:
- Superomedial
- Superolateral
- Inferomedial
- Inferolateral
- Floor
- Roof

A

Superomedial = Semimebranousus
Superolateral = Biceps femoris
Inferomedial = medial head Gastrocnemius
Inferolateral = lateral head Gastrocnemius
Floor = Popliteus muscle
Roof = Popliteus fascia

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3
Q
A
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4
Q

What is another name for the common fibular nerve?

A

Common peroneal nerve

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5
Q

Where does the sciatic nerve commonly bifurcate?

A

At the superior apex of the popliteal fossa

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6
Q

What is the path of the common fibular nerve?

A

Wraps around the lateral head of gastrocnemius - then passes deep to muscle in lateral compartment before splitting into superficial and deep branches

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7
Q

What nerve is given off from the common fibular nerve?

A

The sural nerve (which joints a branch of the tibial nerve)

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8
Q

What is the main cutaneous nerve of the calf?

A

The sural nerve

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9
Q

What is the content of the popliteal fossa from medial to lateral?

A

Artery (popliteal artery)
Vein (popliteal vein)
Nerve (tibial nerve)

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10
Q

Which artery is the primary artery to supply blood to the knee and lower leg?

A

Popliteal artery

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11
Q

Which 5 branches of the popliteal artery are given off around the popliteal fossa?

A

Superior medial geniculate artery
Superior lateral geniculate artery
Middle geniculate artery
Inferior medial geniculate artery
Inferior lateral geniculate artery

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12
Q

Where is the common fibular nerve found?

A

The superolateral border of the popliteal fossa

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13
Q
A
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14
Q

What is the clinical significance of the popliteal fossa?

A

Pulse point

Can get popliteal aneurysm

Baker’s synovial cyst

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15
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A
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16
Q
A
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17
Q

Which bones make up the knee joint?

A

Femur (condyles)
Tibia (condyles and plateau)
Patella (sesamoid bone)

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18
Q
A
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19
Q

What type of joint is the knee?

A

Synovial hinge

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20
Q

What type of movement is permitted at the knee joint?

A

Some rotation, gliding and rolling
Plus flexion and extension (from synovial hinge)

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21
Q

What are the names of the menisci found in the knee?

A

Medial
Lateral

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22
Q

What is the difference between the medial and lateral menisci of the knee?

A

Medial = C-shaped & fixed
Lateral = rounded, smaller & mobile

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23
Q

When is the knee joint more stable - extension or flexion?

A

Extension - because the femur is articulating a flat surface in extension as opposed to a more rounded surface in flexion.

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24
Q

How are the condyles of the femur shaped?

A

Flat distally and curved posteriorly

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25
What is the benefit of having a knee joint that is more stable in extension than flexion?
The thigh muscles dont have to work as hard during standing - they can relax.
26
What is the inter-condyle groove for on the anterior surface of the femur?
Articulation with the patella
27
What are menisci made from?
Fibrocartilage - type 1 collagen, fibroblasts and chondrocytes
28
What are menisci attached by?
Coronary ligaments
29
What is the medial meniscus attached to?
The joint capsule & medial/tibial collateral ligament
30
What is the lateral meniscus attached to?
Popliteal tendon
31
What are menisci interconnected anteriorly by?
Transverse ligaments of the knee
32
33
How many collateral ligaments are there in the knee? What are they called?
2 - Medial (tibial) and lateral (fibular)
34
How many cruciate ligaments are there in the knee? What are they called?
2 - Anterior and Posterior
35
What is the function of the cruciate ligaments?
They tighten when the tibia medially rotates on the femur = Anterior - prevents posterior displacement of femur on tibia AND prevents hyperextension at the knee. Posterior - prevents anterior displacement and hyeprflexion at the knee
36
Which is the greater stabiliser of the knee - anterior or posterior cruciate?
Posterior
37
What is the oblique popliteal ligament an extension of? What is its function?
The semimembranosus tendon To reinforce the joint capsule
38
Which ligament is the main soft tissue stabiliser for the patella and prevents lateral displacement?
Medial patellofemoral
39
40
41
Which ligaments of the knee thicken to form the joint capsule?
Medial and lateral patellofemoral Medial and lateral patellotibial
42
What do the cruciate ligaments of the knee attach to?
Condyles
43
What do the collateral ligaments of the knee attach to?
Epicondyles
44
What is food in the posterior aspect of the distal femur between the condyles?
Intercondyle fossa
45
What is the action of the arcuate popliteal ligament?
Helps the action of the popliteus muscle (which unlocks the knee)
46
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49
What does the popliteus tendon pass between?
Joint capsule and lateral meniscus
50
What does the popliteus tendon insert on?
Lateral femoral condyle
51
What is the function of the Iliotibial tract?
Stabilises the knee - exerts superior & medial pull on proximal tibia to bring lateral tibial condyle into contact with lateral femoral condyle. Therefore makes sure the condyles are more closely opposed. Also - extension anteriorly = iliopatella band - which prevents medial displacement of the patella
52
What are the tendons of the knee joint?
Quadriceps Pes Anserinus Popliteus & Iliotibial Tract
53
54
What helps the knee to lock into position?
The congruency and shape of femoral condyles on tibia and menisci
55
What helps the knee to unlock?
Popliteus muscle
56
What is the action of the popliteus muscle?
Causes 5 ° of lateral rotation of the femur on tibia
57
Which muscles are associated with flexion of the knee?
Hamstrings (SM, ST & BF) Gastrocnemius Plantaris Sartorius Gracilis
58
Which muscles are associated with extension of the knee?
Quadriceps
59
How many bursae does the knee have?
12
60
What categories are the bursae of the knee divided into?
Subcut / superficial Muscular Deep infrapatellar / Other
61
What is bursitis of the subcutaneous infrapatellar bursae known as?
Clergyman's knee
62
What is bursitis of the prepatellar bursae known as?
Housemaid's knee
63
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65
What are the names of the cutaneous nerves that arise within or pass close to the popliteal fossa?
Sural nerve Posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh
66
What type of bone is the patella?
Sesamoid
67
What type of joint is the knee joint?
Synovial hinge
68
What is the name of the ligament that prevents posterior displacement of the femur on the tibia?
Anterior cruciate
69
What is the movement that occurs in unlocking of the knee joint?
Lateral rotation of the femur on the tibia
70
What responsible is responsible for the initial lateral rotation of the femur to unlock the knee?
Popliteus
71
What is the condition called when the bursae of the knee are inflamed?
Bursitis

MSK (21 decks)

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