Knee Flashcards
Deep Infrapatellar Bursa
I
Location: Located below the patella, between the patellar tendon and the tibia
Attachments: Lies deep to the patellar tendon, cushioning it against the tibia
Function: Reduces friction between the patellar tendon and the tibia
Patellar Tendon
H
Location: Runs from the inferior pole of the patella to the tibial tuberosity
Attachments: Connects the patella to the tibial tuberosity
Function: Helps transmit force from the quadriceps to extend the knee
Infrapatellar (Hoffa’s) Fat Pad
F
Location: A soft tissue structure located behind the patellar tendon and below the patella
Attachments: Lies between the patella, patellar tendon, and the tibia
Function: Provides cushioning and reduces friction in the knee joint during movement
Prepatellar Bursa
D
Location: In front of the patella, between the skin and the patella
Attachments: Lies between the patella and the skin
Function: Reduces friction between the patella and the skin, allowing smooth movement
Patella
C
Location: A small, triangular sesamoid bone embedded within the quadriceps tendon
Attachments: Quadriceps tendon superiorly, patellar tendon inferiorly
Function: Protects the knee joint, increases leverage of the quadriceps, and improves knee extension efficiency
Articulations: Articulates with the femur at the patellar surface
Suprapatellar Bursa
B
Location: Located above the patella, between the quadriceps tendon and the femur
Attachments: Lies between the quadriceps tendon and the femur
Function: Reduces friction between the quadriceps tendon and the femur during knee movement
Articulations: Communicates with the knee joint cavity
Quadriceps Tendon
A
Location: Runs from the quadriceps muscles to the superior border of the patella
Attachments: Connects the quadriceps muscle group (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius) to the patella
Function: Transfers force from the quadriceps to the patella, aiding in knee extension
Articulations: None directly
Tibial (Medial) Collateral Ligament (MCL)
5
Location: Runs along the medial side of the knee, from the medial epicondyle of the femur to the medial tibia
Attachments: Medial femoral epicondyle to the medial surface of the tibia
Function: Provides medial stability by preventing excessive valgus (outward) movement of the knee
Quadriceps Tendon (Cut)
4
Location: Runs from the quadriceps muscles to the superior border of the patella
Attachments: Quadriceps muscle group (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius) to the patella
Function: Transfers force from the quadriceps to the patella, aiding in knee extension
Patellar Tendon
3
Location: Runs from the inferior pole of the patella to the tibial tuberosity
Attachments: Connects the patella to the tibial tuberosity
Function: Helps transmit force from the quadriceps to extend the knee
Lateral Meniscus
2
Location: C-shaped cartilage structure on the lateral side of the knee, between the femoral condyle and the tibial plateau
Attachments: Attaches to the tibia via the coronary ligaments, and to the femur via the posterior meniscofemoral ligament
Function: Acts as a shock absorber, distributes weight, and enhances knee stability
Articulations: Contacts the lateral condyle of the femur and tibia
Fibular (Lateral) Collateral Ligament (LCL)
1
Location: Runs along the lateral side of the knee, from the lateral epicondyle of the femur to the head of the fibula
Attachments: Lateral epicondyle of the femur to the fibular head
Function: Provides lateral stability by preventing excessive varus (inward) movement of the knee
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
L & 7
Location: Inside the knee joint, runs from the anterior tibial plateau to the lateral femoral condyle
Attachments: Anterior tibial plateau to the lateral femoral condyle
Function: Prevents anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur and provides rotational stability
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
M & 8
Location: Inside the knee joint, runs from the posterior tibial plateau to the medial femoral condyle
Attachments: Posterior tibial plateau to the medial femoral condyle
Function: Prevents posterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur and provides knee stability
Medial Meniscus
J & 6
Location: C-shaped cartilage structure on the medial side of the knee, between the femoral condyle and tibial plateau
Attachments: Attaches to the tibia via the coronary ligaments and is more firmly anchored than the lateral meniscus
Function: Acts as a shock absorber, distributes weight, and enhances knee stability
Articulations: Contacts the medial condyle of the femur and tibia
Fibula
H
Location: The smaller, lateral bone of the lower leg, located beside the tibia
Attachments: Serves as an attachment site for ligaments such as the fibular (lateral) collateral ligament and muscles like the biceps femoris
Function: Provides lateral stability to the lower leg and serves as an attachment for muscles and ligaments
Articulations: Articulates with the tibia at the proximal and distal tibiofibular joints and with the talus at the ankle
Tibia
G
Location: The larger, medial bone of the lower leg, forming the inferior portion of the knee joint
Attachments: Numerous muscles, tendons, and ligaments, including the patellar tendon, cruciate ligaments, and collateral ligaments
Function: Bears weight and supports movement in the lower limb
Articulations: Articulates with the femur at the knee and the talus at the ankle
Synovial Membrane
F, K & O
Location: Inner layer of the knee joint capsule, lining the joint cavity
Attachments: Lines the inner surface of the fibrous capsule and covers non-articulating surfaces of the bones
Function: Produces synovial fluid to lubricate the knee joint
Synovial Fluid
E
Location: Found within the knee joint cavity, produced by the synovial membrane
Attachments: None (fluid within the joint)
Function: Lubricates the joint, reduces friction, and nourishes the articular cartilage
Popliteus Tendon
D
(Enclosed in the Synovial Membrane)
Location: Located at the back of the knee, running from the popliteus muscle to the lateral femoral condyle
Attachments: Lateral femoral condyle and posterior surface of the tibia
Function: Unlocks the knee joint by rotating the femur laterally when transitioning from full extension
Articular Hyaline Cartilage
C & I
Location: Smooth cartilage covering the ends of bones within the knee joint (femur, tibia, and patella)
Attachments: None (it is part of the bone surfaces)
Function: Reduces friction, absorbs shock, and allows smooth movement of the knee joint
Articulations: Covers the articulating surfaces of the femur, tibia, and patella
Fibrous Capsule
B & N
Location: Outer layer of the knee joint capsule, surrounding the entire joint
Attachments: Encloses the knee joint, attaching to the femur, tibia, and patella
Function: Provides structural support and helps maintain joint stability
Femur
A
Location: The large thigh bone, forming the superior portion of the knee joint
Attachments: Numerous muscles, ligaments, and tendons, including the quadriceps tendon, collateral ligaments, and cruciate ligaments
Function: Provides structural support and movement for the lower limb
Articulations: Articulates with the tibia at the medial and lateral condyles and with the patella at the patellar surface
