Anatomy - The Knee Joint

Question 1

What kind of joint is the knee

Answer 1

Modified hinge joint (movement in the sagittal plane) as there’s rotation

Question 2

What kind of bone is the patella

Answer 2

A sesamoid bone found in the quadriceps tendon and allows leverage

Question 3

Differences between femoral condyles

Answer 3

Lateral is more raised to prevent dislocation of the patella
Medial is larger and has more articular cartilage

Question 4

Where are the cruciate ligaments found

Answer 4

In the intercondylar notch

Named after tibial attachment

Question 5

Why is the tibia widened proximally

Answer 5

To fit the condyles

Question 6

What does the tibial tuberosity allow

Answer 6

Attachment of patella ligament

Question 7

What does the fibula provide

Answer 7

Distal attachment for lateral ligament of knee

Fits under tibial plateau

Question 8

What does the bursa allow

Answer 8

Smooth movement of different surfaces where friction is likely
Quadriceps tendon to move over femoral condyles

Question 9

What do CLs prevent

Answer 9

Movement of tibia by attaching to tibia from their respective femoral epicondyle - no adduction or abduction at knee joint

Question 10

ACL

Answer 10

Comes from medial aspect of tibia anteriorly and travels posteriorly and superiorly to attach to medial aspect of lateral femoral condyle
Prevents posterior displacement of the femur on the tibia

Question 11

PCL

Answer 11

Comes from later aspect of posterior part of intercondylar ridge (tibia) and travels anteriorly to attach to lateral aspect of medial femoral condyle
Prevents anterior displacement of the femur on the tibia

Question 12

Infra-patellar fat pad

Answer 12

Space filler - prevents accumulation of fluid

Question 13

Suprapatellar bursa

Answer 13

Found inside quadriceps tendon

Allows tendon to move over femoral condyles

Question 14

Menisci

Answer 14

Large rings of incomplete cartilage between tibial plateau and femoral condyles

Question 15

Medial meniscus

Answer 15

Larger and more round
Tethered to medial collateral ligament and tibial plateau
NOT mobile

Question 16

Lateral meniscus

Answer 16

Smaller and more horseshoe shaped
Not tethered to lateral collateral ligament and tibial plateau
Less risk of injury

Question 17

Function of menisci

Answer 17

Increase SA of contact between femoral condyle and tibial plateau
Cushioning effect when weight is loaded onto joint
Spread synovial fluid over articular surfaces

Question 18

Knee locking mechanism

Answer 18

Helps save energy and is required during walking and standing
Brought about by difference in femoral condyles

Question 19

Unlocking the knee

Answer 19

Laterally rotate femur on tibia using popliteal muscle (attached to lateral meniscus)

Question 20

Menisco-femoral ligament function

Answer 20

Prevent lateral meniscus moving too far posteriorly

Question 21

LOSS

Answer 21

Loss of joint space and bone density
Osteophytes
Subchondral cysts
Sclerosis

Question 22

Sclerosis

Answer 22

Thickening of bones at joint margins

Question 23

Healthy synovial fluid cycle

Answer 23

Load joint 
Spent fluid pressed out of cartilage on articular surfaces 
Spent fluid fluid reabsorbed 
New synovial fluid secreted 
Decompress articular surface
New fluid enters cartilage

Question 24

Osteoarthritic synovial joint cycle

Answer 24

Loss of/damage to hyaline cartilage due to trauma
More fluid is secreted to bathe inflamed surfaces
Joint is painful and swollen
Patient doesn’t move the joint
Spent fluid accumulates

Question 25

Ligaments in the knee

Answer 25

ACL 
PCL
Posterior menisco-femoral ligament
Patellar ligament
Lateral collateral ligament 
Medial collateral ligament

Question 26

Movements resulting in ACL injuries

Answer 26

Anterior displacement of femur

Posterior displacement of tibia

Question 27

Movements resulting in PCL injury

Answer 27

Posterior displacement of femur

Anterior displacement of tibia