Knee Joint

Question 1

What type of joint is the knee?

Answer 1

Primarily a hinge synovial joint

Question 2

What is stability of the knee dependent upon?

Answer 2

Strength and actions of surrounding muscles and their tendons and ligaments connecting the femur and tibia

Question 3

Which muscle is most important in stabilizing the knee joint?

Answer 3

Quadriceps femoris, particularly inferior fibers of vastus lateralis and medialis

Question 4

What forms the medial and lateral patellar retinacula?

Answer 4

Aponeurotic expansions of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis

Question 5

Which ligament splits the tendon of the biceps femoris into two parts?

Answer 5

Fibular collateral ligament (FCL)

Question 6

What ligaments strengthen the joint capsule of the knee?

Answer 6

Patellar ligament, fibular collateral ligament, tibial collateral ligament, oblique popliteal ligament, and arcuate popliteal ligament

Question 7

Describe attachment of fibular collateral ligament.

Answer 7

It extends inferiorly from lateral epicondyle of femur to lateral surface of head of fibula

Question 8

Describe tibial collateral ligament.

Answer 8

It extends from medial epicondyle of femur to medial condyle and superior part of medial surface of tibia

Question 9

What ligaments join the femur and the tibia?

Answer 9

Cruciate ligaments

Question 10

What are the two cruciate ligaments?

Answer 10

Anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament

Question 11

Which of the cruciate ligaments is weaker?

Answer 11

Anterior cruciate ligament

Question 12

Describe anterior cruciate ligament attachment.

Answer 12

It extends superiorly, posteriorly, and laterally to attach to the posterior part of the medial side of lateral condyle of the femur

Question 13

What movements does the anterior cruciate ligament prevent?

Answer 13

Posterior displacement of the femur on the tibia and hyperextension of the knee joint

Question 14

Describe posterior cruciate ligament attachment.

Answer 14

It passes superiorly and anteriorly on the medial side of the ACL to attach to the anterior part of lateral surface of the medial condyle of the femur

Question 15

What movements does the posterior cruciate ligament prevent?

Answer 15

Anterior displacement of the femur on the tibia or posterior displacement of the tibia on the femur and helps prevent hyperflexion of the knee joint

Question 16

What is the role of the menisci of the knee joint?

Answer 16

Shock absorber

Question 17

What is the significance of the transverse ligament of the knee?

Answer 17

Joints the anterior margins of the menisci allowing them to move together during knee movements

Question 18

What is the shape of the medial menisci?

Answer 18

C shaped and broader posteriorly than anteriorly

Question 19

What is the shape of the lateral menisci?

Answer 19

Nearly circular and smaller and more freely moveable than medial menisci

Question 20

What are the main movements of the knee?

Answer 20

Flexion and extension

Question 21

What joints connect the tibia and fibula?

Answer 21

Superior tibiofibular joint and tibiofibular syndesmosis

Question 22

What type of joint is the superior tibiofibular joint?

Answer 22

Plane synovial joint

Question 23

What type of joint is the tibiofibular syndesmosis?

Answer 23

Compound fibrous joint

Question 24

What direction does the tibia move on the fibula when extending the knee while sitting?

Answer 24

Anteriorly on the fibula

Question 25

What direction does the femur move on the tibia when extending the knee while standing?

Answer 25

Posteriorly on the tibia

Question 26

What is the Q-angle?

Answer 26

Between ASIS and patellar ligament

Question 27

What is an increased Q-angle?

Answer 27

Genu valgum, hip more laterallt

Question 28

What is a decreased Q-angle?

Answer 28

Genu varum

Question 29

What is the unhappy triad?

Answer 29

ACL, medial menisci, and tibial collateral ligament