Anatomy: Knee, Anterior and Lateral Leg

Question 1

what muscles facilitate flexion of the knee

Answer 1

hamstrings (posterior muscles) and gastrocnemius

Question 2

what muscles facilitate extension of the knee

Answer 2

quadriceps (femoral nerve)

Question 3

what muscles facilitate medial and lateral rotation of the knee at 90 degrees of flexion

Answer 3

medial: hamstrings and gracilis (tibial and obturator nerves)
lateral: biceps femoris (tibial and common fibular nerves)

Question 4

name the ligaments that help to stabilise the knee joint

Answer 4

patellar

medial and lateral collateral

iliotibial tract

Question 5

name 2 abnormalities of knee alignment

Answer 5

genu varum (bow) and genu valgam (knock)

Question 6

what can predipose one to genu varum or valgam

Answer 6

loss of medial (varum) or lateral (valgam) meniscus

Question 7

name 2 functions of the menisci

Answer 7

deepen articular surface of the tibia, stabilising the joint

shock absorbers

Question 8

describe the attachment of the medial menisci

and describe the unhappy triad

Answer 8

also attached peripherally to the medial (tibial) collateral ligament therefore any damage of tibial collateral results in tearing of the medial meniscus (fixed in place)

if the injury is such taht the ACL is also ruptured, it is referred to as an unhappy triad knee injury

Question 9

where are both the medial and lateral mensici attached

Answer 9

tibial intercondylar area

Question 10

what do the cruciate ligaments attach between

Answer 10

femur and tibia

Question 11

where do the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments attach

Answer 11

ACL - attached to lateral femoral condyle

PCL- attaches to medial femoral condyle

Question 12

what displacement of the tibia on the femur do teh ACL and PCL prevent

Answer 12

the ACL prevents anterior displacement and the PCL prevents posterior displacement

Question 13

what are the integrity of the ACL and PCL tested with

Answer 13

anterior and posterior drawer test respectively

Question 14

suprapatellar bursa

Answer 14

extension of the synovial cavity

abnormal fluid within the knee joint can fill it causing a swelling on lower anterior third of the thigh

clinically detected by massage test

Question 15

where does teh common fibular nerve enter the anterior leg

Answer 15

from the poplitea fossa superifical to neck if fibula

vulnerable to injury here

Question 16

what do the superficial and deep branches of the common fibular nerve supply

Answer 16

lateral and anterior compartments of the leg respectively

Question 17

what is the main action of the muscles of the anterior leg

Answer 17

dorsiflexion of the ankle,

extension of great toe and digits

Question 18

what muscles invert the foot

Answer 18

tibialis anterior and posterior

Question 19

what muscles evert the foot

Answer 19

fibularis longus, tertius and brevus

Question 20

what are the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg separated from each other by

Answer 20

intermuscular septum

Question 21

what is the function of the muscles in the lateral compartment of the leg

Answer 21

evert foot and weakly plantarflex ankle

Question 22

attachments of fibularis longus and brevis

Answer 22

proximally: fibula
distally: 1st metatarsal (longus), 5th metatarsal (brevis)

Question 23

where does the iliotibial tract attach

Answer 23

lateral tubercule of tibia - gerdy’s tubercule