Knee Ligaments

Question 1

Where does the Medial Collateral Ligament of the knee attach?

Answer 1

• Medial epicondyle of femur to medial condyle of tibia
• Area below condyle

Question 2

What does the Medial Collateral Ligament do?

Answer 2

• Strengthens medial joint
• Prevents tibial abduction (resists valgus force on tibia)
• Limits excessive internal/external rotation
• Some extension of the knee

Question 3

Where does the Lateral Collateral Ligament attach?

Answer 3

• Lateral Epicondyle of Femur
• Lateral side of Fibular Head

Question 4

What does the Lateral Collateral Ligament do?

Answer 4

• Strengthens the lateral joint
• Prevents Tibial adduction (resists force on tibia)
• Limits excessive external rotation

Question 5

Where does the Anterior Cruciate Ligament attach?

Answer 5

• Runs posterior and lateral from the anterior intercondylar eminence of tibia to posterior
• Medial surface of lateral condyle of femur

Question 6

What does the Anterior Cruciate Ligament do?

Answer 6

• Prevents anterior tibial displacement
• Prevents internal rotation
• limits excessive medial tibial translation and extension

Question 7

Where does the Posterior Cruciate Ligament attach?

Answer 7

• Runs anterior and medial from the posterior intercondylar eminence of tibia
• Lateral meniscus to anterior lateral surface of medial femoral condyle

Question 8

What does the Posterior Cruciate Ligament do?

Answer 8

• Prevents posterior tibial displacement
• Limits excessive internal and external rotation

Question 9

Where is the transverse ligament of the knee?

Answer 9

Under the patella

Question 10

What does the transverse ligament of the knee do?

Answer 10

Connects medial and lateral meniscus

Question 11

Where does the Posterior meniscofemoral ligament attach?

Answer 11

Runs from the meniscus to the PCL

Question 12

What is the medial and lateral meniscus made of?

Answer 12

Fibrocartilage

Question 13

Where are the medial and lateral meniscus located?

Answer 13

Between the tibial and femoral condyles

Question 14

What do the lateral and medial meniscus do?

Answer 14

• Increases stability by increasing contact area and shock absorption
• Increases articulating surface area thereby disturbing forces to a greater extent (less pressure)
• Decreases friction between tibia and femur like a sponge

Question 15

When the menisci are removed how much does the surface area decrease by?

Answer 15

Up to 50%