Knee Joint Flashcards
What tendon passes over the knee joint
Quadricep tendon
What does the quadricep tendon become
The patellar ligament
How many articulations occur at the knee joint
3
Name the different articulations at the knee joint
- Femoropatellar
2. Femorotibial (x2)
What part of the femur articulates with the tibia
The 2 rounded condyles
What is the space called between the two condyles of the femur
The intercondylar notch
Where does the patella articulate with the femur
The patellar surface
What structure covers the inner surface of the fat pads either side of the patellar ligament
The medial and lateral alar folds
What is the function of the bursae within the knee joints
They allow structures close to bone to move freely without causing any friction
What are the bursae in communication with at the knee joint
The synovial cavity
Name the bursae of the knee joint
- Suprapatellar
- Gastrocnemius
- Semimembranosus
- Popliteus
- Subcutaneous prepatellar
- Subcutaneous infrapatellar
- Deep infrapatellar
- Anserine
What are the 2 different types of ligaments within the knee joint
- Extracapsular
2. Intracapsular
Name the extracapsular ligaments
- Oblique popliteal
- Arcuate popliteal
- Medial collateral
- Lateral collateral
Name the intracapsular ligaments
- Anterior cruciate
2. Posterior cruciate
What is the oblique popliteal ligament and expansion of
Semimembranosus tendon
What is the function of the oblique popliteal ligament
Reinforces the posterior capsule
What is the arcuate ligament a thickening of
The capsule over the popliteus muscle
What is the function of the arcuate ligament
Strengthens the posterolateral joint capsule
Where does the medial collateral ligament extend from and to
The medial epicondyle of the femur to the medial condyle and superior medial surface of the tibia
Where does the lateral collateral ligament extend from and to
The lateral epicondyle of the femur to the lateral edge of the fibula head
What is the function of the collateral ligaments
They prevent side to side displacement of the knee joint
What happens to the cruciate ligaments during medial rotation of the tibia
They wind around each other; limited to 10 degrees
What does the posterior cruciate ligament prevent
The femur from sliding anteriorly on the tibia, particularly when the knee is flexed
What does the anterior cruciate ligament prevent
The femur from sliding posteriorly on the tibia, preventing hyperextension
Where does the anterior cruciate ligament extend from and to
The anterior intercondylar area of the tibia to the medial side of the lateral condyle of the femur
Name the two ACL bands and what they limit
- Anteromedial band; limits flexion
2. Posterolateral band; limits extension
Where does the posterior cruciate ligament extend from and to
Posterior intercondylar area of the tibia to the lateral side of the medial condyle of the femur
Name the two PCL bands and what they limit
- Anterolateral band; limits flexion
2. Posteromedial band; limits extension
Why is the PCL important when the knee is flexed
It holds all of the body weight; transfers weight from the femur to the tibia
What are menisci and what do they do
They are wedges of fibrocartilage and they acts as shock absorbers
What is the medial meniscus attached to
It is firmly attached to the tibial collateral ligament
Is the lateral meniscus freely moveable
Yes
Describe the origins of the main blood supply to the knee
- 5 genicular branches from the popliteal artery
- Descending genicular artery from the femoral artery
- Descending branch from the lateral circumflex femoral artery
- Recurrent branches from anterior and posterior tibial arteries
Name the anastomosis that forms around the knee joint
Periarticular genicular anastomosis
