Knee

Question 1

Please identify the ligaments of the knee joint and their attachments.

Answer 1

Patellar ligament - apex of patella to tibial tuberosity

Fibular collateral - lateral epicondyle of femur to the fibular head

Tibial collateral - medial epicondyle of femur to the superomedial tibia

Anterior cruciate - anterior intercondylar area of tibia to posterior part of lateral epicondyle of femur

Posterior cruciate - posterior intercondylar area of tibia to posterior part of medial epicondyle of femur

Question 2

Which ligaments of the knee joint are intra-articular?

Answer 2

Anterior cruciate, Posterior cruciate

Lateral meniscus, Medial meniscus

Part of the Popliteus tendon (it attaches to lateral meniscus)

Question 3

Describe the locking and unlocking mechanism of the knee.

Answer 3

Knee locks passively when extended and weight-bearing.

Unlocking: Contraction of popliteus (a posterior muscle, attaching to lateral meniscus and posterior tibia) causes lateral rotation of the femur on the tibial plateau.