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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
Q
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
Q

What is the benefit of having a knee joint that is more stable in extension than flexion?

A

The thigh muscles dont have to work as hard during standing - they can relax.

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26
Q

What is the inter-condyle groove for on the anterior surface of the femur?

A

Articulation with the patella

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27
Q

What are menisci made from?

A

Fibrocartilage - type 1 collagen, fibroblasts and chondrocytes

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28
Q

What are menisci attached by?

A

Coronary ligaments

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29
Q

What is the medial meniscus attached to?

A

The joint capsule & medial/tibial collateral ligament

30
Q

What is the lateral meniscus attached to?

A

Popliteal tendon

31
Q

What are menisci interconnected anteriorly by?

A

Transverse ligaments of the knee

33
Q

How many collateral ligaments are there in the knee? What are they called?

A

2 - Medial (tibial) and lateral (fibular)

34
Q

How many cruciate ligaments are there in the knee? What are they called?

A

2 - Anterior and Posterior

35
Q

What is the function of the cruciate ligaments?

A

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
Q

Which is the greater stabiliser of the knee - anterior or posterior cruciate?

37
Q

What is the oblique popliteal ligament an extension of? What is its function?

A

The semimembranosus tendon

To reinforce the joint capsule

38
Q

Which ligament is the main soft tissue stabiliser for the patella and prevents lateral displacement?

A

Medial patellofemoral

41
Q

Which ligaments of the knee thicken to form the joint capsule?

A

Medial and lateral patellofemoral
Medial and lateral patellotibial

42
Q

What do the cruciate ligaments of the knee attach to?

43
Q

What do the collateral ligaments of the knee attach to?

A

Epicondyles

44
Q

What is food in the posterior aspect of the distal femur between the condyles?

A

Intercondyle fossa

45
Q

What is the action of the arcuate popliteal ligament?

A

Helps the action of the popliteus muscle (which unlocks the knee)

49
Q

What does the popliteus tendon pass between?

A

Joint capsule and lateral meniscus

50
Q

What does the popliteus tendon insert on?

A

Lateral femoral condyle

51
Q

What is the function of the Iliotibial tract?

A

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
Q

What are the tendons of the knee joint?

A

Quadriceps
Pes Anserinus
Popliteus

& Iliotibial Tract

54
Q

What helps the knee to lock into position?

A

The congruency and shape of femoral condyles on tibia and menisci

55
Q

What helps the knee to unlock?

A

Popliteus muscle

56
Q

What is the action of the popliteus muscle?

A

Causes 5 ° of lateral rotation of the femur on tibia

57
Q

Which muscles are associated with flexion of the knee?

A

Hamstrings (SM, ST & BF)
Gastrocnemius
Plantaris
Sartorius
Gracilis

58
Q

Which muscles are associated with extension of the knee?

A

Quadriceps

59
Q

How many bursae does the knee have?

60
Q

What categories are the bursae of the knee divided into?

A

Subcut / superficial
Muscular
Deep infrapatellar / Other

61
Q

What is bursitis of the subcutaneous infrapatellar bursae known as?

A

Clergyman’s knee

62
Q

What is bursitis of the prepatellar bursae known as?

A

Housemaid’s knee

65
Q

What are the names of the cutaneous nerves that arise within or pass close to the popliteal fossa?

A

Sural nerve
Posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh

66
Q

What type of bone is the patella?

67
Q

What type of joint is the knee joint?

A

Synovial hinge

68
Q

What is the name of the ligament that prevents posterior displacement of the femur on the tibia?

A

Anterior cruciate

69
Q

What is the movement that occurs in unlocking of the knee joint?

A

Lateral rotation of the femur on the tibia

70
Q

What responsible is responsible for the initial lateral rotation of the femur to unlock the knee?

71
Q

What is the condition called when the bursae of the knee are inflamed?

MSK (21 decks)

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