Knee Anatomy Revision

Question 1

What is the function of the medial collateral ligament?

Answer 1

Primary: restrain valgus rotation of the knee joint
Secondary: control of external rotation

Question 2

What is the function of the ACL?

Answer 2

Primary: resist anterior displacement of the tibia on the femur when knee flexed; control screw home mechanism of tibia in terminal extension.
Secondary: resist valgus/varus rotation of tibia

Question 3

What is the function of the PCL?

Answer 3

Primary: allow femoral rollback in flexion, resist posterior translation of tibia on femur.
2”: control external rotation of tibia with increasing knee flexion.

Question 4

What is the function of the patellofemoral joint?

Answer 4

Transmit tensile force generated by quadriceps to the patellar tendon.

Question 5

What is the function of the tibiofemoral articulation?

Answer 5

Transmission of body weight from femur to tibia.

Question 6

Movement of the knee?

Answer 6

6 degrees of freedom of the knee:

1) Flex/extension
2) Ext/int rotation
3) Varus/valgus angulation
4) Ant/post glide
5) Med/lat shift
6) Compression and distraction