Knee Flashcards
What is the function of the patellar ligament?
It helps to hold the patella in place and serves as part of the tendon to the quadriceps femoris muscles
What is the function of the arcuate popliteal ligament?
It arches over the tendon of the popliteus muscle and stabilizes the posterior aspect of the knee joint.
What is a common mechanism for ACL ruptures?
Severe force directed ANTERIORLY when the kneee is semi-flexed
Where can you find the medial collateral ligament?
Broad, flat band located slightly posterior on the medial side of the knee joint. It is attached proximately to the medial side of the knee joint and distally to the medal condyle of the tibia
What are the borders of the popliteal fossa?
Superolaterally: biceps femoris Superomedially: semimembranosus and semitendinosus Inferolaterally and inferomedially: gastrocnemius muscles
What is the function of the medial collateral ligament?
It resists force that would push the knee joint medially. Fused to the medial meniscus.
What is the function of the medial meniscus?
It deepens the medial tibial condyle
What is the function of the PCL?
Checks flexion and posterior slipping of the tibia on the femur (or anterior displacement of the femur on the tibia)
What type of joint is the knee?
Hinge joint (ginglymus)
What is the common mechanism for PCL injury?
When an individual lands on their tibial tuberosity with the knee flexed
Where can you find the anterior cruciate ligament?
From the front of the intercondylar eminence to the medial surface of the lateral femoral condyle posteriorly
What indicates a lateral meniscus tear?
Pain on lateral rotation of the tibia on the femur
What is genu recurvatum?
When the knee is hyperextended such that the lower extremity curves. The convexity of the curve is posterior and can be symmetrical or unilateral
What is the common mechanism involved in damage to the MCL?
Forced abduction of the tibia on the femur
What are the contents of the popliteal fossa?
Termination of the small saphenous vein, popliteal artery and vein, tibial and common fibular nerves, posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, popliteal lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels
Where is the capsule of the knee joint?
Fascia extending from femur to tibia; strengthened by fibers of the fascia lata, IT tract, and tendons of the vasti hamstrings and sartorius muscles
Where can you find the arcuate popliteal ligament?
Lateral condyle of the femur to the head of the fibula
What is the function of the ACL?
Checks extension and anterior slipping of the tibia on the femur (or posterior displacement of the femur on the tibia)
What is the common mechanism for LCL injury?
Forced adduction of the tibia on the femur
What is the unhappy triad?
Tears of the ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus due to a blow to the lateral side of the knee while it is flexed
Where can you find the lateral meniscus?
Attached to the tibia, anterior to the ACL, blending with it. Posteriorly attached behind the intercondylar eminence anterior to the medial meniscus
Where can you find the medial meniscus?
Attached to tibia anterior to the ACL and to the posterior inter condylar area
What is the function of the oblique popliteal ligament?
It reinforces the posterior surface of the joint capsule
What types of movement does the knee joint allow?
Femur-tibia: flexion and extension with slight rotation when knee is flexed Femur-patella: sliding up and down
