Knee Joint Flashcards
What type of joint is the knee?
synovial, hinge
What are the movements of the knee?
flexion/extension with some gliding and rotation
Is the knee a weak or strong joint?
relatively weak because it’s stability is primarily by ligaments and muscles
Name the 3 articulations of the knee
- tibiofemoral joint: lateral femoral condyle with lateral tibial condyle
- tibiofemoral joint: medial femoral condyle with medial tibial condyle
- patellofemoral joint: patella and femur
This capsule of the knee does not form a closed fibrous sleeve around the joint. There are ligamentous expansions that replace it anteriorly and it is perforated posteriorly by the popliteal muscles.
articular capsule
3 anterior structures of the knee
- quadriceps tendon
- patella
- patella ligament
What is the lateral expansion from the quadriceps tendon, patella, and patella ligament that extend to the femoral and tibial condyles.
patellar retinacula
What m. perforates the capsule posteriorly?
popliteus m.
What ligament is a thickening of the capsule arching over the exiting popliteus?
arcuate popliteal ligament
What runs parallel to the popliteus?
oblique popliteal ligament
Where does the oblique popliteal ligament extend from?
semimembranosus n.
Which ligament DOES NOT blend with the capsule?
- medial tibial collateral ligament
- lateral fibular collateral ligament
- lateral fibular collateral ligament
What blends with the capsule laterally?
iliotibial tract
What lines the fibrous capsule, creating an envelope for the synovial fluid that bathes the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral articular surfaces?
synovial membrane
What structure is within the capsule but are NOT within the synovial membrane?
menisci
