Anatomy 35 Flashcards
What type of joint is the knee joint?
Synovial hinge joint
What is the knee joint formed by?
Articulation between the femoral condyles and the tibial condyles
Describe the tibial plateaus
Are flat and do not provide a good fit for the femoral condyles
When do the femur and tibia achieve their ‘best fit’ with each other?
When the knee is extended, hence the knee is most stable in extension
What does the iliotibial tract attach to?
Attaches to the lateral aspect of the tibia and stabilises the knee
What are the menisci?
C-shaped cartilages that lie on the tibial plateaus
They are wedge-shaped, with the thickest part lying peripherally and the thinnest part lying centrally
What is the function of the menisci?
They deepen the tibial condyles for articulation with the femoral condyles
What is the medial meniscus attached to?
Attached to the joint capsule along its peripheral margin and is attached to the medial (tibial) collateral ligament
These attachments make it prone to injury if the knee is twisted
Describe features of the lateral meniscus?
Not attached to the lateral (fibular) collateral ligament; it can move more freely, so is less prone to injury.
What are the function of the collateral ligaments in the knee?
Support the knee and resist sideways movement of the tibia on the femur
What are the 2 types of collateral ligaments?
Medial (tibial) and Lateral (fibular)
What does the medial collateral ligament connect?
Connects the femur to the tibia
What does the lateral collateral ligament connect?
Connects the femur to the fibula
What is the medial collateral ligament attached to?
The medial meniscus
What happens to the collateral ligaments when the knee is flexed?
They are loose
What happens to the collateral ligaments when the knee is extended?
They are taut
What do the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments connect?
Connect the tibia to the femur and are named according to their attachments to the tibia
What happens to the cruciate ligaments when the knee is flexed?
They are lax
What happens to the cruciate ligaments when the knee is extended?
They are taut
What is the anterior cruciate ligament attached to?
The anterior part of the intercondylar area of the tibia.
It attaches to the medial aspect of the lateral condyle of the femur
What does the anterior cruciate ligament prevent?
Prevents the tibia moving anteriorly relative to the femur,
it prevents the femur moving posteriorly relative to the tibia