Osteology, Joints & Ligaments of the Hip, Thigh and Knee Flashcards
What 4 bones make up the bony pelvis or pelvic girdle?
Sacrum
Coccyx
Right hip/pelvic bone
Left hip/pelvic bone
What is the function of the bony pelvis in weight transmission?
It transmits the body’s weight from the vertebral column to the femur.
Which pelvic organs does the bony pelvis contain, protect, and support?
Bladder
Rectum
Anal canal
Reproductive tracts
How does the bony pelvis assist in lower limb and trunk movement?
It provides attachment points for the lower limbs and trunk muscles.
What role does the pelvis play in the external genitalia?
Anchors the roots of the external genitalia
What is the function of the sacroiliac joint?
It transfers weight from the sacrum to the hip bones.
What is the role of the lumbosacral joint?
It connects the lumbar spine to the sacrum, allowing for movement and weight transfer between the upper body and pelvis.
What type of joint is the sacrococcygeal joint?
It is a symphysis joint between the sacrum and coccyx.
What type of joint is the pubic symphysis?
It is a secondary cartilaginous joint.
How does the pubic symphysis change during pregnancy?
It can soften and stretch, which may cause pain.
What is the subpubic angle?
It is the angle between the two pubic arches formed by the left and right ischiopubic rami.
What three bones make up the hip bones?
Illium, Ischium and Pubis
At what age do the three hip bones typically fuse at the acetabulum?
Between 16 and 18 years old.
What is the location and significance of the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS)?
It is located at the anterior end of the iliac crest and serves as an important landmark for muscle attachment and pelvic orientation.
What does the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) serve as an attachment point for?
It serves as an attachment point for the rectus femoris muscle.
What is the function of the ischial spine?
It serves as an important landmark for the attachment of ligaments and muscles and helps define the greater and lesser sciatic notches.
What is the ischial tuberosity known for?
It is known as the “sit bone,” providing support when sitting and serving as an attachment point for hamstring muscles.
Where is the superior pubic ramus located?
It extends from the pubic body to the acetabulum, contributing to the structure of the pelvis.
What is the significance of the ischiopubic ramus?
A: It connects the ischium to the pubis and forms part of the pelvic brim
What is the role of the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS)?
It serves as a landmark for the posterior aspect of the pelvis and is a site for muscle attachment.
What does the posterior inferior iliac spine (PIIS) mark?
It marks the lower posterior portion of the ilium and is a point of attachment for ligaments.
What is the obturator foramen?
It is a large opening formed by the ischium and pubis that allows passage for nerves and blood vessels.
What anatomical feature is known as the iliac crest?
It is the upper border of the ilium and serves as an important site for muscle attachment.
What is the greater sciatic notch?
It is a large indentation in the ilium that allows passage for the sciatic nerve and other structures from the pelvis to the lower limb.
What is the lesser sciatic notch?
It is a smaller indentation below the greater sciatic notch, allowing passage for structures to the perineum.
What is the function of the iliac tubercle?
It serves as an attachment point for the iliotibial band, contributing to stability during walking.
Where is the pubic tubercle located and what is its significance?
It is located on the superior aspect of the pubis and serves as an attachment point for the inguinal ligament.
What does the obturator membrane cover?
It covers most of the obturator foramen, reducing size of
obturator foramen
Where does the sacrotuberous ligament run?
It runs between the sacrum and the ischial tuberosity
What is the function of the sacrospinous ligament?
It runs between the ischial spine and the sacrum and coccyx, stabilizing the pelvis and supporting the pelvic floor.
What is the role of the sacroiliac ligament?
It is a weight-bearing ligament that connects the sacrum to the iliac bones, helping to transmit forces from the upper body to the lower limbs.
Where is the ischial tuberosity located?
It is located on the inferior part of the ischium and serves as an important attachment point for ligaments and muscles.
What anatomical features do the ischial spine and sacrum connect via the sacrospinous ligament?
The ischial spine connects to the sacrum and coccyx through the sacrospinous ligament.
What is the relationship between the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments?
Both ligaments contribute to the stabilization of the pelvic region; the sacrotuberous ligament provides lateral stability, while the sacrospinous ligament provides support to the pelvic floor.
What is the function of the greater sciatic foramen?
It serves as a route of communication between the pelvic cavity and the lower limb.
What does the lesser sciatic foramen connect?
It connects the pelvic cavity with the perineum and gluteal region.
What passes through the obturator canal?
The obturator nerve and vessels, which supply the thigh.
What is the role of the obturator membrane?
It reduces the size of the obturator foramen, covering most of it.
What are the main parts of the proximal femur?
Head
Neck
Greater trochanter
Lesser trochanter
Intertrochanteric line
Intertrochanteric crest
Describe the head of the femur.
The head is a spherical structure that articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis, forming the hip joint.
What is the neck of the femur?
The neck is the region just below the head, connecting the head to the shaft; it is angled to allow for a better range of motion at the hip.
What is the significance of the greater trochanter?
The greater trochanter is a large bony prominence on the lateral side of the femur, serving as an important site for muscle attachment (e.g., gluteus medius, gluteus minimus)
Where is the lesser trochanter located, and what is its function?
The lesser trochanter is located on the medial side of the femur, serving as the attachment point for the iliopsoas muscle, which is crucial for hip flexion.
What is the intertrochanteric line?
The intertrochanteric line is a ridge that connects the greater and lesser trochanters on the anterior surface of the femur.
What is the function of the intertrochanteric crest?
The intertrochanteric crest is a bony ridge on the posterior aspect of the femur, providing additional support and serving as an attachment point for muscles.
What are the common clinical considerations related to the proximal femur?
Common issues include fractures (especially neck fractures in the elderly), osteonecrosis, and arthritis of the hip joint.
What are the main parts of the distal femur?
Lateral condyle
Medial condyle
Patellar surface
Intercondylar fossa
Lateral epicondyle
Medial epicondyle
Adductor tubercle
Lateral supracondylar line
Medial supracondylar line
Describe the lateral condyle of the femur.
The lateral condyle is a rounded projection on the distal lateral aspect of the femur that articulates with the lateral tibial plateau.
What is the function of the medial condyle?
The medial condyle is a rounded projection on the distal medial aspect of the femur that articulates with the medial tibial plateau, allowing for weight-bearing.
What is the patellar surface?
The patellar surface (or patellar groove) is the smooth anterior surface between the condyles where the patella (kneecap) articulates with the femur.
What is the significance of the intercondylar fossa?
The intercondylar fossa is a deep notch between the medial and lateral condyles that houses the cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL) and provides stability to the knee joint.
Where are the lateral and medial epicondyles located?
The lateral epicondyle is a bony prominence on the lateral side of the femur, and the medial epicondyle is a similar prominence on the medial side, both serving as attachment sites for ligaments and muscles.
What is the function of the adductor tubercle?
The adductor tubercle is a small bump on the medial epicondyle where the adductor magnus muscle attaches, aiding in thigh adduction.
What do the lateral and medial supracondylar lines represent?
The lateral supracondylar line and medial supracondylar line are ridges that run downward from the respective epicondyles and serve as attachment sites for muscles and ligaments.
What are the main parts of the patella?
Base
Apex
Lateral articular surface
Medial articular surface
Describe the base of the patella.
The base is the superior portion of the patella where the quadriceps tendon attaches.
What is the function of the apex of the patella?
The apex is the pointed inferior portion of the patella that connects to the patellar ligament.
What is the role of the lateral and medial articular surfaces of the patella?
These surfaces articulate with the femoral condyles, allowing for smooth movement of the patella over the knee joint during flexion and extension.
Describe the lateral and medial condyles of the tibia.
Both are rounded projections on the proximal end of the tibia that articulate with the femoral condyles, supporting weight-bearing activities.
What are the main features of the proximal tibia?
Lateral condyle
Medial condyle
Intercondylar eminence
Tibial tuberosity
Lateral articular surface
Medial articular surface
What is the intercondylar eminence?
The intercondylar eminence is a raised area between the condyles that serves as an attachment point for the ACL and PCL ligaments.
What is the significance of the tibial tuberosity?
The tibial tuberosity is the prominent anterior projection where the patellar ligament attaches, allowing for knee extension.
What are the lateral and medial articular surfaces on the proximal tibia?
These surfaces articulate with the lateral and medial femoral condyles, facilitating knee joint movement.
What is the function of the pubofemoral ligament?
The pubofemoral ligament stabilizes the hip joint by limiting excessive abduction and extension of the thigh.
Where is the intertrochanteric line located, and what is its significance?
The intertrochanteric line is located on the anterior surface of the femur, connecting the greater and lesser trochanters, and serves as an attachment point for the iliofemoral ligament.
What does the ischiofemoral ligament do?
The ischiofemoral ligament stabilizes the hip joint by reinforcing the posterior aspect and limiting hip extension.
What is the role of the transverse acetabular ligament?
The transverse acetabular ligament spans the acetabular notch, contributing to the stability of the hip joint by completing the acetabular labrum.
Describe the ligament of the head of the femur (ligamentum teres)
The ligament of the head of the femur connects the acetabulum to the fovea of the femoral head, providing a conduit for the artery of the head of the femur.
What is the artery of the head of the femur, and why is it important?
The artery of the head of the femur is a branch of the obturator artery that supplies blood to the head of the femur, crucial for maintaining its vascularity.
What is the function of the acetabular labrum?
The acetabular labrum is a fibrocartilaginous structure that deepens the acetabulum, increasing joint stability and providing cushioning for the hip joint.
What is unique about the iliofemoral ligament?
The iliofemoral ligament is the strongest ligament in the body, providing significant support to the hip joint and limiting hyperextension of the thigh.
What type of joint is the knee joint classified as?
The knee joint is classified as a modified hinge joint, consisting of the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral components.
What is the function of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?
The ACL prevents anterior displacement of the tibia relative to the femur and stabilizes the knee during rotation and forward movement.
What role does the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) play in the knee joint?
The PCL prevents posterior displacement of the tibia relative to the femur and stabilizes the knee during flexion.
Describe the function of the medial collateral ligament (MCL).
The MCL provides stability to the medial side of the knee and prevents excessive valgus (inward) movement of the knee.
What is the role of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL)?
The LCL stabilizes the lateral side of the knee and prevents excessive varus (outward) movement.
What is the significance of the meniscus in the knee joint?
The meniscus serves as a shock absorber, improves joint stability, and facilitates smooth movement by distributing weight across the knee.
How is the medial meniscus connected to the knee joint?
The medial meniscus is attached to the medial collateral ligament (MCL), providing additional stability to the knee.
What is the function of the popliteus muscle in relation to the knee joint?
The popliteus muscle “unlocks” the knee joint by initiating the first few degrees of tibial rotation, allowing for knee flexion.
