Knee Flashcards
Large thigh bone
Femur
Medial, large lower leg bone; also known as the “shin bone”
Tibia
Lateral, small lower leg bone
Fibula
Triangular sesamoid bone within the quadriceps tendon that protects the knee joint; also known as the “kneecap”
Patella
Tibia + femur; hinged joint. Medial and lateral compartments. Contains menisci, bursa, and many ligaments
Tibiofemoral joint
Patella + femur; plane joint
Patellofemoral joint
Muscles of the anterior thigh that extend the leg at the knee joint; most important muscle in stabilizing the knee joint
Quadriceps muscle
Posterior thigh muscles that flex the leg at the knee joint and form he popliteal fossa
Hamstrings muscle
Common tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscles that connects to the patella
Quadriceps tendon
Continuation of the quadriceps tendon that connects the patella to the tibia
Patellar tendon
Attaches to the anterior aspect of the tibial plateau and resists hyperextension
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
Attaches to the posterior aspect of the tibial plateau and prevents the femur from sliding anteriorly off the tibia
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
Connects the lateral femur with the lateral side of the fibula preventing side-to-side or rotational motions between the femur and tibia
Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
Connects the medial femur to the medial tibia preventing side-to-side or rotational motions between the femur and tibia
Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
Cartilage between the femoral condyle and medial tibial plateau that cushions the knee joint. Firmly attached to the MCL
Medial meniscus
Cartilage between the lateral femoral condyle and lateral tibial plateau that cushions the knee joint
Lateral meniscus
Fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction within the knee joints; facilitate movement
Pes anserine and prepatellar bursae
Diamond-shaped hollow at the back of the knee formed by the hamstrings
Popliteal fossa
Division of the sciatic nerve that extends from behind the knee to wind around the head of the fibula to the front of the leg to innervate the anterior and lateral leg; often damaged by trauma to the knee such as a fibular fracture
Common peroneal nerve
What ROM tests are done for the knee?
Flexion, Extension, and Hyperextension.
Bending the knee. Normal is 130 degrees.
Flexion
Straightening the leg. Normal is 0 degrees.
Extension
Extension of the knee past 0 degrees
Hyperextension
