LM 6.0: Arthrology of the Lower Limb

Question 1

what are the phases of the normal gait cycle?

Answer 1

1. stance phase = lower limb is in contact with the ground

2. swing phase = lower limb is not in contact with the ground

Question 2

what are the parts of the lower limb?

Answer 2

gluteal region, thigh, leg and foot

leg = between ankle and knee

Question 3

what is the function of the patella?

Answer 3

patella increases angle of torsion and effectiveness of quadriceps muscle

it increases the effectiveness of the quadriceps muscle in extending the leg – it creates a move favorable angle for extension of the knee

Question 4

what does the patella articulate with?

Answer 4

the patellar surface of the femur that is cartilaginous

the patella is a sesamoid bone = it’s embedded within a tendon (quadriceps tendon)

Question 5

what is the site of attachment of the patellar ligament?

Answer 5

the tibial tuberosity

Question 6

What is the function of the ACL?

Answer 6

ACL = anterior cruciate ligament

It prevents anterior movement of the tibia relative to the femur

Integrity is tested by the anterior drawer test

Question 7

What is the function of the PCL?

Answer 7

PCL prevents posterior movement of the tibia relative to the femur

Integrity is tested by posterior drawer test

Question 8

What is the tibial collateral ligament attached to?

Answer 8

Aka the MCL

Tibial collateral ligament is firmly attached to the medial meniscus so sometimes when the MCL is damaged, the medial meniscus can also be damaged

plus the medial meniscus is also attached to the ACL so that can be damaged too = “the unhappy triad”

1. Medial collateral ligament
2. Medial meniscus
3. ACL

Question 9

What is the fibular collateral ligament attached to?

Answer 9

aka the LCL

It’s NOT attached to the lateral meniscus — the tendon of popliteus inserts between the two

You will less often get simultaneous damage to the LCL and lateral meniscus because of the popliteus

Question 10

Which of the following is an abnormal movement of the knee joint?

A. Flexión
B. Extension
C. Abduction
D. Medial rotation
E. Lateral rotation

Answer 10

C. Abduction

Question 11

What is the function of the menisci of the knee?

Answer 11

To reduce friction between the femur and the tibia

Medial meniscus and lateral meniscus

Question 12

Which bones are part of the knee joint?

Answer 12

The patella, femur and tibia

The fibula is NOT part of the knee joint!

Question 13

What are genicular arteries?

Answer 13

The arteries of the knee!

There are 5 genicular arteries that supply blood to the knee

Superior medial genicular artery, inferior medial genicular artery, superior lateral genicular artery and the inferior lateral genicular artery

Question 14

Does the stability of the knee joint depend more on A or B?

A. Strengths and actions of the surrounding tendons and muscles, especially the inferior fibers of the vastus medial is and lateralis

B. Ligaments connecting the femur and tibia

Answer 14

A

Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee will really help with the integrity of the knee

Question 15

What is the position of the femur?

Answer 15

inferomedially; it’s not directly vertically so that it can better support the weight of the body

Question 16

What does the ligament of the head of the femur attach to?

Answer 16

Proximally = transverse acetabular ligament

Distally = fovea of the head of the femur

Question 17

What is the function of the greater trochanter?

Answer 17

Lots of lateral and medial muscle rotators of the hip attach at the greater trochanter of the femur

So if the neck of the femur fractures, the muscles will pull on the greater trochanter and pull the femur superiorly which will shorten the lower limb

Question 18

Where does the gluteus Maximus muscle attach?

Answer 18

1. Gluteal tuberosity

2. Lateral condyle of the tibia via the iliotibial tract

Question 19

What is the site of attachment of the adductor magnus muscle? Why is it significant?

Answer 19

The adductor magnus distally attaches to the adductor tubercle of the femur and the shaft of the femur

This creates a hole called the adductor hiatus which allows for femoral vessels to pass from the anterior compartment of the thigh to the popliteal fossa!

Question 20

What joint allows for normal inversion and eversión of the ankle?

Answer 20

Intertarsal joints

Question 21

What are the tarsal bones of the foot?

Answer 21

1. Talus
2. Calcaneus
3. Navicular
4. Medial, intermediate and lateral cuneiformes
5. Cuboid

Question 22

What attaches at the tuberosity of the 5th metatarsal?

Answer 22

It’s the distal attachment of the fibularis brevis

Question 23

What attaches at the groove of the cuboid bone?

Answer 23

Fibularis brevis

Question 24

What is the function of the sustentáculum tali?

Answer 24

Part of the calcaneous bone that supports the talus

Question 25

If a patient has come in because she really rolled her ankle badly, what structure has most likely been damaged?

Answer 25

Lateral ligament of the ankle

The lateral ligament of the ankle is actually made of 3 components

This injury happened because of excessive inversion of the ankle

Question 26

What is the deltoid ligament?

Answer 26

It’s the medial ligament of the ankle

It prevents excessive eversión of the foot

It has 4 components

Question 27

Which 3 bones contribute to the ankle joint?

Answer 27

1. Tibia
2. Fibula
3. Talus

It’s located between the trochlea of the talus and interior ends of the tibia and fibula

Question 28

What does the talus articulate with?

Answer 28

1. Tibia
2. Fibula
3. Calcaneus
4. Navicular

Question 29

What is the function of the plantar aponeurosis?

Answer 29

Helps protect soft tissue and nerves and vessels in the bottom of your foot