Knee Flashcards
What does the knee consist of?
lateral and medial compartments of tibiofemoral joint and patellofemoral joint
What are the motions of the knee?
flexion and extension
internal and external rotation
The shaft of femur angles slightly _____ as it descends toward knee
medially
The oblique orientation is a result of natural _____ angle of inclination or proximal femur
125 degrees
Why does the knee form an angle in its lateral side of about 170-175 degrees?
Because articular surface pf proximal tibia is oriented nearly horizontally
Normal alignment of knee within frontal plane is referred to as:
genu valgum
Excessive genu valgum or knock-knee:
lateral angle less that 170 degrees
Genu Varum or bow leg:
lateral angle greater than 180 degrees
Longitudinal or vertical axis of rotation at hip defined as what:
line connecting femoral head with center of knee joint
What does the tibiofemoral joint consist of?
articulations between large convex femoral condyles and nearly flat smaller tibial condyles
Large articular surface area of femoral condyles permits:
extensive knee motion in sagittal plane for activities such as running, squatting and climbing
What is joint stability provided by?
forces and physical containment provided by muscles, ligaments, capsule, menisci and body weight
The transformation of the lateral mensici into shallow seat for femoral condyle is most important because:
flat to slightly convex shape of tibia’s lateral articular surface
What anchors menisci to intercondylar region of tibia?
free ends, known as anterior and posterior horns
External edge of each meniscuc attached to tibia and adjacent capsule by what?
coronary (or meniscotibial) ligaments
What do the coronary ligaments allow menisci to pivot freely during movement?
because the coronary ligaments are relatively loose
What connects both menisci anteriorly?
transverse ligament
What muscles attach to both menisci?
quads and semimembranosus
What muscle attaches to lateral meniscus?
popliteus
What helps to stabilize the position of menisci?
muscle attachments
Where is blood supply of the menisci greatest?
near peripheral (external) border
Internal border of menisci is essentially:
avascular
Where is blood from capillaries located within:
adjacent synovial membrane and capsule
The shape of the medial meniscus is:
oval shape
The shape of the lateral meniscus is:
circular shape
External border of the medial meniscus attaches to:
to deep surface of MCL and adjacent capsule
External border of the lateral meniscus attaches:
only to lateral capsule
What passes between LCL and external border of lateral meniscus?
tendon of popliteus
What is the primary function of menisci?
reduce compressive stress across tibiofemoral joint
What are other functions of menisci?
Stabilizing joint during motion
Lubricating articular cartilage
Providing proprioception
Helping to guide knee’s arthrokinematics
Br tripling area of joint contact, menisci significantly ______ pressure on articular cartilage
decrease
Complete lateral meniscecetomy increases:
contact pressure at knee by 230%
increases risk of developing stress related OA
What is the most common injury of the knee?
tears of meniscus
What are meniscal tears associated with?
forceful axial rotation of femoral condyles over partially flexed and weight-bearing knee