knee Flashcards
2 functions of knee joint
- 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
function of the two fibrocartilaginous menisci
accomodate changes in shape of the articular surfaces during joint movements
where are the two fibrocartilaginous menisci situated
between the femoral condyles and tibia on each side
what type of joint is the knee
hinge joint
which 2 main movements does the knee joint allow
- flexion
- extension
why does the knee joint have a ‘locking’ mechanism
to reduce the amount of muscle energy required to keep the joint extended when standing
what do the cruciate ligaments interconnect
the adjacent ends of the femur and tibia (and they maintain their opposed position during movement)
what type of cartilage are the articular surfaces of the knee joint covered with
hyaline cartilage
which two major articular surfaces are involved in the knee joint
- the two femoral condyles
- the adjacent surfaces of the superior aspect of the tibial condyles
which 2 elements enclose the joint surfaces of the knee
- the articular cavity
- the intraarticular menisci between the femoral and tibial condyles
which are the articular surfaces between the femur and the patella
- V-shaped trench on anterior surface of distal end of femur where the two condyles join
- adjacent surfaces on posterior aspect of patella
what are the two menisci called
- medial meniscus
- laterral meniscus
what are the 2 menisci
fibrocartilagionous C-shaped cartilages
which meniscus is more mobile
the lateral meniscus
what is the medial meniscus attached to around its margin
- capsule of the joint
- tibial collateral ligament
what interconnects the menisci anteriorly
a transverse ligament of the knee
from which muscle is the tendon that is connected with the lateral meniscus
the popliteus muscle
where does the tendon of the popliteus muscle pass to inseert on the femur
superolaterally beteen the meniscus and the capsule
function of menisci
improve congruency between femoral and tibal condyles during joint movements
where does the synovial membrane of the knee joint attach
- margins of articular surfaces
- superior and inferior outer margins of menisci
where do the two cruciate ligaments attach
- intercondylar region of tibia below
- intercondylar fossa of femur above
infrapatellar fat pad
seperates synovial membrane from patellar ligament
alar fold
fringed margin formed by synovial membrane on side of infrapatellar fat pad
infrapatellar synovial fold
sharp midline fold of synovial membrane by lower part of infrapatellar fat pad
where does the infrapatellar synovial fold attach to
the margin of the intercondylar fossa of the femur
what does the synovial membrane of the knee joint form pouches for
to provide low-friction surfaces for the movement of tendons associated with the joint
2 expansions of synovial membrane
- subpopliteal recess
- suprapatellar bursa
location of subpopliteal recess
between lateral meniscus and popliteus tendon
how does the subpopliteal recess extend
posterolaterally from the articular cavity
location of suprapatellar bursa
between distal end of shaft of femur and quadriceps femoris muscle and tendon
what is the apex of the suprapatellar bursa attached to
articularis genus muscle
3 other bursae associated with the knee
- subcutaneous prepatellar bursa
- subcutaneous infrapatellar bursa
- deep infrapatellar bursa
which 2 elements does the fibrous membrane enclose
- articular cavity
- intercondylar region
to what is the fibrous membrane attached on the medial side
medial meniscus
what does the fibrous membrane blend with on the medial side
tibial collateral ligament
is the fibrous membrane laterally attached to the lateral meniscus
no
from what is the fibrous membrane laterally seperated
fibular collateral ligament
to what is the fibrous membrane anteriorly attached
the patella
with what is the fibrous membrane reinforced anteriorly
tendinous expansions of vastus lateralis and medialis muscles
by what is the fibrous membrane reinforced antrolaterally
fibrous extension from iliotibial tract
by what is the fibrous membrane reinforced posteromedially
oblique popliteal ligament
