Ligaments and attachments of the knee joint

Question 1

Knee joint capsule

Answer 1

Surrounds femoral and tibial condyles, and patella

Question 2

Tibial collateral

Answer 2

Extracapsular; medial femoral epicondyle to medial tibial condyle

Question 3

Fibular collateral

Answer 3

Extracapsular; lateral femoral epicondyle to fibular head

Question 4

Patellar

Answer 4

Extracapsular; patella to tibial tuberosity

Question 5

Arcuate popliteal

Answer 5

Extracapsular; fibular head to capsule

Question 6

Obique popliteal

Answer 6

Extracapsular; semimembranosus tendon posterior to knee

Question 7

Medial meniscus

Answer 7

Intracapsular; interarticular area of the tibia, lies over medial facet, attached to tibial collateral

Question 8

Lateral meniscus

Answer 8

Intracapsular; interarticular area of tibia, lies over lateral facet

Question 9

Anterior cruciate

Answer 9

Intracapsular; anterior intercondylar tibia to lateral femoral condyle

Question 10

Posterior cruciate

Answer 10

Intracapsular; posterior intercondylar tibia to medial femoral condyle

Question 11

Transverse

Answer 11

Intracapsular; anterior spec of menisci

Question 12

Posterior meniscofemoral

Answer 12

Intracapsular; posterior lateral meniscus to medial femoral condyle

Question 13

Quadriceps tendon

Answer 13

Muscles to superior patella

Question 14

Clinical note

Answer 14

Rupture of the weaker ACL is a common athletic injury, usually related to twisting of the knee whilst the foot is firmly on the ground. Because the ACL prevents hyperextension of the knee, movement of the tibia forward on the femur whilst keeping the foot stable is used to asses ACL integrity. ACL injuries may be accompanied by tear of the the tibial collateral ligament of the medial meniscus. The medial meniscus attaches to the tibial collateral ligament. The combination of these three tears (ACL, tibial collateral and medial meniscus) is known as the unhappy triad.