Knee Joint Flashcards
Which condyle of the femur is bigger?
The medial and it therefore takes most of the weight.
What is the name of the deep notch found at the distal femur posterior?
Intra condylar fossa.
What is the significance of the femoral condyles to the knee joint?
This is where the collateral ligaments attach.
Describe the superior surface of the tibia.
The medial surface is concave and the lateral surface is convex. Between them is an area called the inter condylar eminence.
At the knee joint the bones show a mismatch of shapes. What structure helps to correct this?
Menisci.
What movement tears the menisci?
Rotation of a flexed knee.
What shape are the menisci of the knee?
The medial is crescent shaped whilst the lateral is more circular.
Which menisci of the knee is more mobile?
The lateral as it has attachments which are closer together.
Which menisci of the knee has the better blood supply?
Lateral.
What commonly causes damage to the medial meniscus?
When there is damage to the medial collateral ligament.
State the two functions of menisci.
Deepen the articulation surface, and to shock absorb.
Name the ligament which attaches the two menisci posteriorly
Transverse ligament of the knee.
What is the name of the ligaments which attach the menisci to the joint capsule?
Coronary
How are the cruciate ligaments named?
By their attachment on the tibia.
What is PAMs APPLes?
This tells us the direction the ligaments run from their attachments of the the tibia. posterior runs anterior and attaches Medially on femur. Anterior runs posteriorly and attaches laterally on femur.
Which cruciate ligament is the strongest and what is its function?
The posterior. This stabilises a flexed knee. The anterior prevents hyperextension.
Where is the joint capsule of the knee present?
This surrounds the knee but is absent anteriorly as it allows the supra patella bursa to extend up below the patella.
What is the oblique popliteal ligament?
This strengthens the joint capsule posteriorly and is an extension of semimembranosus
Which collateral ligament attaches to the fibula?
Lateral
What muscle is responsible for unlocking of the knee? What movement does it perform?
Popliteus muscle. External rotation of the femur
How can the posterior cruciate ligament be damaged?
Falling on the tibial tuberosity of a flexed knee.
What is a consequence of patella fracture?
This is a very hard fracture to heal because the two parts of the patella are constantly being pulled away from each other.
What is swelling of the pre patella bursa called?
Housemaid’s knee
What type of arthritis is common in the knee?
Osteoarthritis is common because it is a weight bearing joint.
