MSK Session 9- The Knee Joint

Question 0

What are the articulating surfaces of the knee joint? (2 pairs)

Answer 0

• the condyles of the femur with the condyles of the tibia

- the patella with the patellar surface of the femur

Question 1

What type of joint is the knee joint?

Answer 1

Hinge

Question 2

What type of bone is the patella?

Answer 2

Sesamoid

Question 3

What is the main function of the knee joint?

Answer 3

Flexion and extension

Question 4

Is the knee joint strong or weak?

Answer 4

Weak

Question 5

What is the weight bearing joint of the knee?

Answer 5

The tibiofemoral joint

Question 6

Which femoral condyle is larger and why?

Answer 6

The medial one

Because it is the one that bears the most weight

Question 7

What is between the femoral condyles anteriorly?

Answer 7

A shallow depression for the patella articulation

Question 8

What is the intercondylar fossa and where is it found?

Answer 8

It is a deep notch between the condyles of the femur, posteriorly.

Question 9

Where are epicondyles of the femur found and what is their purpose?

Answer 9

Above the condyles.

Attachment of collateral ligaments.

Question 10

What is the adductor tubercle and where is it found?

Answer 10

It is the site of attachment distally for adductor Magnus and is found on the medial epicondyle of the femur.

Question 11

Describe the medial and lateral aspects of the tibial surface.

Answer 11

Medial- larger and slightly concave

Lateral- slightly convex

Question 12

What separates the two surfaces of the tibial plateau?

Answer 12

The intercondylar eminence.

Question 13

What are needed for support of the knee joint?

Answer 13

Menisci, ligaments and muscles

Question 14

What are menisci and what are their two functions?

Answer 14

They are fibrocartilaginous crescentric structures.

They deep me the tibial articular surface and act as shock absorbers.

Question 15

What do the menisci attach to?(3)

Answer 15

Intercondylar eminence
Transverse ligament
Joint capsule

Question 16

Which menisci is more mobile and why?

Answer 16

Lateral.

Because it is smaller and both of its ends attach to the intercondylar eminence.

Question 17

Which muscle group and which two muscles of that group are most important in stabilising the knee joint?

Answer 17

Quadriceps femoris
Vastus lateralis and Vastus medialis (inferior fibres of both)
(Iliotibial tract laterally)

Question 18

What are the two classes of ligaments?

Answer 18

Cruciates (intracapsular) and collaterals (extracapsular)

Question 19

What is the function and insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament?

Answer 19

It passes posteriorly from the intercondylar fossa and attaches laterally on the tibia to prevent anterior displacement of the tibia over the femur.

Question 20

What is the function and insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament?

Answer 20

It passes anteriorly from the intercondylar fossa to the medial tibia to prevent posterior displacement of the tibia against the femur.

Question 21

Which of the two cruciate ligaments is weaker and why?

Answer 21

The anterior cruciate ligament.

It has a poorer blood supply.

Question 22

What is the function of the extracapsular ligaments?

Answer 22

Prevent medial and lateral movement of the knee joint.

Question 23

Name the two collateral ligaments

Answer 23

Medial and lateral.

Question 24

What are the other 3 ligaments of the knee and where are they found?

Answer 24

• patellar (anterior)
• arcuate popliteal ligament (posterior)
• oblique popliteal ligament (posterior)

Question 25

What is the function of the popliteal ligaments?

Answer 25

They strengthen the knee joint capsule.

Question 26

Which muscles flex the knee? (4)

Answer 26

Hamstrings, gracilis, sartorius, popliteus

Question 27

Which muscles extend the knee? (2 groups)

Answer 27

Quadriceps femoris, gastrocnemius

Question 28

Which muscles medially rotates the knee? (5)

Answer 28

Semitendinosus  
Semimembranosus 
Sartorius 
Gracilis 
Popliteus

Question 29

Which muscle laterally rotates the knee?

Answer 29

Biceps femoris

Question 30

Which muscle unlocks the knee?

Answer 30

Popliteus

Question 31

Name the four bursae of the knee.

Answer 31

• infra patella
• pre patella
• supra patella
• semimembranosus

Question 32

What is a Bursa and what is its aim?

Answer 32

A synovial fluid filled sac that is found between moving structures of a joint. To reduce wear and tear on the structures of the joint.

Question 33

What is arthroscopy of the knee?

Answer 33

It is an endoscopic examination that allows visualisation of the knee by creating portals and inserting instruments through to minimise disruption to the knee.

Question 34

What is aspiration and when is it used in the knee joint?

Answer 34

Removal of fluid through suction.
When there is a lot of synovial fluid in the knee joint as a result of injury or infection to the supra patella bursa in particular.

Question 35

What is the unhappy triad?

Answer 35

Injury to the medial meniscus, medial collateral ligament and the anterior cruciate ligament.

Question 36

Which way does the patella most commonly dislocate?

Answer 36

Laterally.

Question 37

When can medial and lateral rotation of the knee only occur?

Answer 37

When the knee is flexed.