knee

Question 1

2 functions of knee joint

Answer 1

• articulation between femur and tibia, weight-bearing
• articulation between patella and femur, allows pull of quadriceps femoris muscle to be
  directed anteriorly over the knee to the tibia without tendon wear

Question 2

function of the two fibrocartilaginous menisci

Answer 2

accomodate changes in shape of the articular surfaces during joint movements

Question 3

where are the two fibrocartilaginous menisci situated

Answer 3

between the femoral condyles and tibia on each side

Question 4

what type of joint is the knee

Answer 4

hinge joint

Question 5

which 2 main movements does the knee joint allow

Answer 5

• flexion

- extension

Question 6

why does the knee joint have a ‘locking’ mechanism

Answer 6

to reduce the amount of muscle energy required to keep the joint extended when standing

Question 7

what do the cruciate ligaments interconnect

Answer 7

the adjacent ends of the femur and tibia (and they maintain their opposed position during movement)

Question 8

what type of cartilage are the articular surfaces of the knee joint covered with

Answer 8

hyaline cartilage

Question 9

which two major articular surfaces are involved in the knee joint

Answer 9

• the two femoral condyles

- the adjacent surfaces of the superior aspect of the tibial condyles

Question 10

which 2 elements enclose the joint surfaces of the knee

Answer 10

• the articular cavity

- the intraarticular menisci between the femoral and tibial condyles

Question 11

which are the articular surfaces between the femur and the patella

Answer 11

• V-shaped trench on anterior surface of distal end of femur where the two condyles join
• adjacent surfaces on posterior aspect of patella

Question 12

what are the two menisci called

Answer 12

• medial meniscus

- laterral meniscus

Question 13

what are the 2 menisci

Answer 13

fibrocartilagionous C-shaped cartilages

Question 14

which meniscus is more mobile

Answer 14

the lateral meniscus

Question 15

what is the medial meniscus attached to around its margin

Answer 15

• capsule of the joint

- tibial collateral ligament

Question 16

what interconnects the menisci anteriorly

Answer 16

a transverse ligament of the knee

Question 17

from which muscle is the tendon that is connected with the lateral meniscus

Answer 17

the popliteus muscle

Question 18

where does the tendon of the popliteus muscle pass to inseert on the femur

Answer 18

superolaterally beteen the meniscus and the capsule

Question 19

function of menisci

Answer 19

improve congruency between femoral and tibal condyles during joint movements

Question 20

where does the synovial membrane of the knee joint attach

Answer 20

• margins of articular surfaces

- superior and inferior outer margins of menisci

Question 21

where do the two cruciate ligaments attach

Answer 21

• intercondylar region of tibia below

- intercondylar fossa of femur above

Question 22

infrapatellar fat pad

Answer 22

seperates synovial membrane from patellar ligament

Question 23

alar fold

Answer 23

fringed margin formed by synovial membrane on side of infrapatellar fat pad

Question 24

infrapatellar synovial fold

Answer 24

sharp midline fold of synovial membrane by lower part of infrapatellar fat pad

Question 25

where does the infrapatellar synovial fold attach to

Answer 25

the margin of the intercondylar fossa of the femur

Question 26

what does the synovial membrane of the knee joint form pouches for

Answer 26

to provide low-friction surfaces for the movement of tendons associated with the joint

Question 27

2 expansions of synovial membrane

Answer 27

• subpopliteal recess

- suprapatellar bursa

Question 28

location of subpopliteal recess

Answer 28

between lateral meniscus and popliteus tendon

Question 29

how does the subpopliteal recess extend

Answer 29

posterolaterally from the articular cavity

Question 30

location of suprapatellar bursa

Answer 30

between distal end of shaft of femur and quadriceps femoris muscle and tendon

Question 31

what is the apex of the suprapatellar bursa attached to

Answer 31

articularis genus muscle

Question 32

3 other bursae associated with the knee

Answer 32

• subcutaneous prepatellar bursa
• subcutaneous infrapatellar bursa
• deep infrapatellar bursa

Question 33

which 2 elements does the fibrous membrane enclose

Answer 33

• articular cavity

- intercondylar region

Question 34

to what is the fibrous membrane attached on the medial side

Answer 34

medial meniscus

Question 35

what does the fibrous membrane blend with on the medial side

Answer 35

tibial collateral ligament

Question 36

is the fibrous membrane laterally attached to the lateral meniscus

Answer 36

no

Question 37

from what is the fibrous membrane laterally seperated

Answer 37

fibular collateral ligament

Question 38

to what is the fibrous membrane anteriorly attached

Answer 38

the patella

Question 39

with what is the fibrous membrane reinforced anteriorly

Answer 39

tendinous expansions of vastus lateralis and medialis muscles

Question 40

by what is the fibrous membrane reinforced antrolaterally

Answer 40

fibrous extension from iliotibial tract

Question 41

by what is the fibrous membrane reinforced posteromedially

Answer 41

oblique popliteal ligament