Knee Lecture Flashcards
Knee consists of
Articulation between the FEMUR & TIBIA
- for weight bearing
Articulation between PATELLA & FEMUR
- control of quadriceps anteriorly over the knee
*2 Joints
Lateral condyle of femur
Small radius curvature
Extends more anteriorly
Medial Condyle of femur
Larger radius of curvature
Extends more posteriorly
- more advantageous for rotation
Medial Tibial Plateau
Larger
Oval
Lateral Tibial Plateau
Smaller
Circular
Medial meniscus attached at tibial plateau
Attached to capsule & medial collateral ligament
-most likely to be injured due to being so closely compact
Lateral menisci attached at the tibial plateau
Less firmly attached to the capsule, NO attachment to lateral collateral ligament
- MORE MOBILE
3 Functions of Meniscus
1) Shock Absorption
2) Stability (for femoral condyles)
3) Spread synovial fluid in the joint
What structures are outside of the knee joint
-Posterior cruciate ligament
-Anterior cruciate ligament
But are enclosed by FIBROUS MEMBRANE
Aricularis genu
Helps lift capsule when extending the knee, should be relaxed during knee flexion
Function of FAT PADs
Optimizes the pressure inside joint
—> more fat helps the joint to require less synovial fluid
**more synovial fluid DOES NOT mean more effective
Fibrous membrane
Involves the WHOLE KNEE
*NOT attached to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
- there is a space between popliteus & LCL
Bursae
Sac made of synovial fluid
- as many as 12 bursae
Main ligaments
1)Coronary ligament
- help keep menisci “stuck” to tibia plateau
2)Patellar ligament :attachment= APEX OF PATELLA
- continuation of the quadriceps femoris tendon
3)Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
-prevents anterior displacement of knee
4)Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
- prevents posterior displacement of knee
5)Tibial collateral ligament/ medial collateral ligament
6)Fibular collateral ligament/ Lateral collateral ligament
- Each provide sideways stability
MCL prevents
Valgus forces
-knee moving inward
Tibia moves outwards causing knees to move inward
