Knee Joint and Popliteal Fossa Flashcards
What type of joint is the knee joint?
The knee joint is a synovial hinge joint.
What bones form the knee joint?
The knee joint is formed by the femur, tibia, and patella.
What are the main articulations within the knee joint?
The knee joint has two main articulations: the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints.
What are the primary movements of the knee joint?
The primary movements of the knee joint are flexion, extension, and slight medial and lateral rotation.
What structures provide stability to the knee joint?
Stability of the knee joint is provided by ligaments, menisci, muscles, and the joint capsule.
What is the function of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) prevents anterior displacement of the tibia relative to the femur.
What is the function of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)?
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) prevents posterior displacement of the tibia relative to the femur.
What is the function of the medial collateral ligament (MCL)?
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) resists valgus stress and supports medial knee stability.
What is the function of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL)?
The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) resists varus stress and supports lateral knee stability.
What are the roles of the menisci in the knee joint?
The menisci enhance knee stability, absorb shock, and distribute weight across the knee joint.
What are the differences between the medial and lateral menisci?
The medial meniscus is C-shaped and more firmly attached to the MCL, while the lateral meniscus is O-shaped and more mobile.
What muscles contribute to knee extension?
The quadriceps femoris group (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius) extends the knee.
What muscles contribute to knee flexion?
The hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus) flex the knee.
What is the function of the popliteus muscle in knee movement?
The popliteus muscle unlocks the knee joint by rotating the tibia medially when the foot is fixed.
What is the main blood supply to the knee joint?
The knee joint is primarily supplied by the genicular branches of the popliteal artery.
What is the innervation of the knee joint?
The knee joint is innervated by branches of the femoral, tibial, and common fibular nerves.
What are common injuries associated with the knee joint?
Common knee injuries include ACL tears, PCL tears, meniscal tears, and patellar dislocations.
What structures form the boundaries of the popliteal fossa?
The popliteal fossa is bounded by the biceps femoris (superolaterally), semimembranosus and semitendinosus (superomedially), and the gastrocnemius (inferiorly).
What are the contents of the popliteal fossa?
The popliteal fossa contains the popliteal artery, popliteal vein, tibial nerve, common fibular nerve, and lymph nodes.
What is the clinical significance of the popliteal artery in knee injuries?
The popliteal artery is clinically significant because it is prone to injury in knee dislocations and vascular compromise.
What is the function of the popliteal vein?
The popliteal vein drains the lower limb and eventually becomes the femoral vein.
How does the sciatic nerve relate to the popliteal fossa?
The sciatic nerve bifurcates into the tibial and common fibular nerves in the popliteal fossa.
What are the terminal branches of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa?
The tibial and common fibular nerves are the terminal branches of the sciatic nerve.
What is the function of the tibial nerve in the knee and leg?
The tibial nerve innervates the posterior compartment of the leg and plantar foot muscles.
What is the function of the common fibular nerve in the knee and leg?
The common fibular nerve innervates the lateral and anterior compartments of the leg.
What bursae are found in the knee joint, and what are their functions?
The knee joint contains several bursae, including the suprapatellar, prepatellar, and infrapatellar bursae, which reduce friction.
What is a Baker’s cyst, and how does it relate to the popliteal fossa?
A Baker’s cyst is a fluid-filled swelling in the popliteal fossa, often due to knee joint effusion.
What are the common causes of knee joint effusion?
Knee joint effusion can be caused by trauma, arthritis, infection, or ligament injuries.
What is the role of the iliotibial tract in knee stability?
The iliotibial tract stabilizes the lateral knee and assists in knee extension and flexion.
What is the locking and unlocking mechanism of the knee joint?
The locking mechanism involves full knee extension and medial rotation of the femur, while the popliteus unlocks the knee by laterally rotating the femur.
