17. Be able to perform a ligament stress test of the knee and understand the functions of the different knee ligaments Flashcards
Watch a video about a ligament stress test of the knee.
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Name 11 ligaments of the knee
Patellar ligament
Medial and lateral patellar retinacula
Tibial (medial) collateral ligament
Fibular (lateral) collateral ligament
Oblique popliteal ligament
Arcuate popliteal ligament
Anterolateral ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
Posterior cruciate ligament
Medial meniscus
Lateral meniscus
Transverse ligament
Name 4 extra-capsular ligaments of the knee
Patellar ligament
Fibular (lateral) collateral ligament
Tibial (medial) collateral ligament
Arcuate popliteal ligament
Patellar ligament
Extra-capsular ligament
Continuous with the quadriceps femoris tendon
Connects apex of patella to the tuberosity of the tibia
Strengthens the anterior capsule of the knee
Important role in knee extension
What is the quadriceps femoris tendon sometimes referred to as?
The patellar tendon
What type of bone is the patellar?
A sesamoid bone
What is a sesamoid bone?
A bone embedded in a tendon
Another name for the tuberocity of the tibia
Shinbone
Medial and lateral patellar retinacula
Medial patellar retinacula = passes medial to the patella to attach to the medial condyle of the tibia
Forms the anteromedial aspect of the fibrous capsule
Lateral patellar retinacula = passes lateral to the patella to attach to the tibial tuberosity
Tibial (medial) collateral ligament (MCL)
Extra-capsular and sits medially
Connects the tibia to the inferior part of the tibia
It prevents excess valgus (medial) stress to the knee joint
What does the MCL help to prevent?
Excess valgus (medial) stress to the knee joint
Fibular (lateral) collateral ligament (LCL)
Extra-capsular and sits laterally
Originates on the lateral epicondyle of the femur and inserts on the fibular head
It prevents excess valgus (lateral) stress to the knee joint
What does the LCL help to prevent?
Excess valgus (lateral) stress to the knee joint
Oblique popliteal ligament
Originates as an extension of the semimembranosus muscle tendon
Crosses the back of the knee
Arcuate popliteal ligament
An extra-capsular ligament of the knee
Y-shaped
Attached to the posterior portion of the head of the fibula
Has 2 insertions - medially and laterally
Anterolateral ligament (ALL)
On the lateral aspect of the knee, anterior to the fibular collateral ligament
Thought to control internal tibial rotation
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
Intra-capsular ligament
Joins the femur to the front of the shinbone
Stabiles the knee
Prevents tibia from being pushed forward relative to the femur
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
Intra-capsular ligament
The posterior cruciate ligament and ACL connect the femur to the shinbone
Prevents the tibia from being pushed backwards relative to the femur
Medial meniscus
A fibrocartilage semi-circular band that spans the knee joint medially
Located between the medial condyle of the femur and the medial condyle of the tibia
Protects the tibia and femur from rubbing against each other
Increases concavity of tibial condyle surface
Lateral meniscus
A fibrocartilaginous semi-circular band that spans the lateral side of the interior of the knee joint
Protects the tibia and femur from rubbing against each other
Increases concavity of tibial condyle surface
Transverse ligament
Connects the anterior lateral meniscus to the anterior medial meniscus
Other name for transverse ligament
Anterior meniscomeniscal ligament
Important for knee extension - prevents the anterior horns of the menisci from coming forward, which would cause the condyles of the femur and tibia to put pressure on the menisci
What are ligaments?
Ligaments are durable bands of fibrous tissue that connect joints and strengthen them
What is the difference between ligaments and tendons?
Ligaments connect bones to bones
Tendons connect bones to muscles
What is articular cartilage?
Smooth white tissue that covers the end of bones where they converge at joints, minimising friction and allowing bones to glide over each-other
What happens to the articular cartilage and menisci as you get older?
They wear down, exposing the underlying bone
This changes the load distribution and biomechanics of the knee, causing pain and inflammation as the bones grind together
