Knee Joint Flashcards
What type of joint is the knee joint?
condylar type of synovial joint
What other joint does the knee form between the femur and the patella?
saddle joint
How is the knee joint stabilized laterally?
biceps femoris and gastrocnemius tendons
iliotibial tract
fibular collateral ligaments
How is the knee joint stabilized medially?
sartorius gracilis medial head of gastrocnemius semitendinosus semimembranosus tibial collateral ligament
What is the blood supply of the knee joint?
genicular branches of the popliteal artery
descending branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery
articular branch of descending genicular artery
anterior tibial recurrent artery
What innervates the knee joint?
branches of sciatic, femoral, and obturator nerves
What encompasses the knee joint that is rather thin and weak?
fibrous capsule
What are the main intracapsular ligaments of the knee joint?
anterior cruciate ligament posterior cruciate ligament medial meniscus lateral meniscus transverse ligament
Where does the anterior cruciate ligament lie and where does it insert?
lies inside the capsule, but outside the synovial cavity of the joint
inserts into the medial surface of the lateral femoral condyle
What does the anterior cruciate ligament prevent?
forward sliding of the tibia on the femur
posterior displacement of the femur on the tibia
Describe the state of the ligament during extension and flexion of the knee. (taut or lax)
taut during extension
lax during flexion
What can happen to the anterior cruciate ligament during hyperextension of the knee?
can be torn
Where does the posterior cruciate ligament lie and where does it insert?
lies outside the synovial cavity but within the capsule
inserts on the lateral surface of the medial femoral condyle
Compared to the anterior ligament, the posterior cruciate is?
shorter, straighter, stronger
What does the posterior cruciate ligament prevent?
backward sliding of the tibia on the femur (or anterior displacement of the femur on the tibia)
Describe the state of the posterior cruciate during flexion and extension. (taut or lax)
taut during flexion
lax during extension
What are the main extracapsular ligaments?
medial (tibial) collateral ligament lateral (fibular) collateral ligament Patellar ligament arcuate ligament oblique popliteal ligament
Where is the medial (tibial) collateral ligament attached
firmly to the medial meniscus
What happens if the medial (tibial) collateral ligament is injured?
concomitant damage to the medial meniscus
What are the actions of the medial collateral ligament?
prevents medial displacement of the 2 long bones
abduction of the leg at the knee
What is the state of the medial collateral during extension?
becomes taut limiting extension and abduction of the leg
What is the state of the lateral (fibular) collateral ligament during extension?
becomes taut limiting extension and adduction of the leg
The patellar ligament is a strong flattened fibrous band that is the continuation of which tendon?
quadriceps femoris tendon
Where does the patellar ligament extend to?
from the apex of the patella to the tibial tuberosity
