Session 4.1 Osteology of the distal femur , patella , tibia and fibula Flashcards
What makes up the knee joint ?
1) patella
2) distal femur
3) proximal tibia
What are the two femoral condyles called ?
Medial and lateral
Which femoral condyle is larger - the medial or the lateral ?
The medial condyle is larger because more weight goes through the medial condyle than the lateral one.
Where on the distal femur does the patellar reside in ?
- on a shallow depression called the trochlear/ patellofemoral groove.
Is it the lateral or medial lip of the trochlear/patellofermoral groove which is more prominent ?
The lateral lip is more prominent because it helps to resist patellar dislocation as the patellar tends fo want to move in the lateral direction.
On the posterior side of the distal femur , what is the notch called ?
Intercondylar fossa
Does the fibula make up the knee joint ?
No
What makes up the proximal surface of the tibia ?
1) medial condyle
2) lateral condyle
3) intercondylar area ( non articular area in between the lateral and medial condyle) - at the centre of the this area there is the ‘ intercondylar eminence’
What is the main function of the intercondylar area ?
Attachment for ligaments
What is the largest sesamoid bone in the body ?
Patella
- this resides within tendons
What is menisci and what is its anatomy ?
ANATOMY :
C shaped plates of fibrocartilage that lays between the tibia and the distal femur.
Has a thicker periphery
Attached to the intercondylar area of the tibia
Connected anteriorally by the transverse ligament of the knee
What is the medial meniscus attached to ?
Medial collateral ligament
What is the function of the menisci?
1) act as a shock absorber
2) deepens the surface of articulation
What are the ligaments classified into - the ones involved in the knee joint ?
1) intra capsular - cruciate ligaments
2) extra capsular - collateral ligaments
3) ligaments that strengthen the capsule - oblique popliteal ligament
What are the two cruciate ligaments called ?
1) anterior cruciate ligaments ( ACL)
2) posterior cruciate ligaments ( PCL)
PAMs APples
Posterior passes anterior inserts medial.y ( PCL)
Anterior passes posterior inserts laterally ( ACL)
Which is weaker of the two cruciate ligaments ?
ACL
because it has a relatively poor blood supply
What is the function of the ACL ?
- during running the tibia often moves anterior to the femur. The ACL prevents the tibia moving far too forward relative the to distal femur.
What is the function of the PCL?
Prevents excessive posterior movement of the tibia relative to the femur.
Where is the joint capsule of the knee mainly located?
- surrounds the sides and posterior aspect of the joint
- it is deficient anteriorly
How is the joint capsule in the knee strengthened laterally and medically ?
By inferior fibres Kd the vastus lateralis and medialis
How is the joint capsule strengthened posteriorally?
Oblique popliteal ligament which is an expansion of the semimembranosus
What are the two extra capsular ligaments called ?
1) medial collateral ligament
2) lateral collateral ligament
What is the function of the medial collateral ligament ?
Resists valgus forces on the tibia
VaLgus = L for lateral
Describe tha anatomy of the medial collateral ligament
The medial collateral ligament attaches to the medial femoral epicondyle to the tibia.
- it also attaches to the medial meniscus at its midpoint.
Describe the anatomy of the lateral collateral ligament
Attaches to the lateral femoral epicondyle to the lateral surface of the fibula head.
What is the function of the lateral collateral ligament ?
Resists varus force on the tibia ( varus= medial)
How many bursae are found in the knee joint ?
6
Name the 6 bursae found in the knee joint
1) suprapatellar
2) prepatellar
3) superficial ( subcutaneous) infrapatellar
4) deep infrapatellar
5) semimembranous
6) subsartorial
What is the function of bursae?
- they are fluid filled sacs located around a joint that cushions bones when muscles , tendons or skin rub against the bone.
- they are very important in the movement of bones because they reduce friction,
What muscles in the leg aid with flexion of the knee ?
Hamstrings muscles - biceps femoris , semi membranous, semitendinosus
- this is assisted by gracilis , sartorius , popliteus , gastrocnemius
What muscles help with extension of the knee ?
Quadriceps muscles ( there are 4) = recurs femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius
What joints does the recurs femoris cover ?
The hip and knee joint
What innerverts the quadriceps muscles ?
Femoral nerve
Where does the recurs femoris insert into ?
Tibial tuberosity via the patella tendon
When the knee is flexed , some rotation can occur - what aids medial rotation ?
1) semitendinosus
2) semimembranosus
3) gracilis
4) sartorius
5) poplitues
When the knee is flexed, some rotation can occur. What aids lateral rotation of the knee ?
Bicep femoris
Which muscle that forms part of the knee joint , has a very important stabilising effect ?
Inferior fibres of vastus medialis called the vastus medialis obliquus ( obliquus genus).
Outline the mechanism of locking the knee
Occurs during extension of the knee.
- the femur rotates internally by 5 degrees.
- the cruciate ligaments tighten
- the knee becomes more solid and thigh and leg muscles can relax briefly without instability
Outline the mechanism of unlocking the knee
Poplitues contracts and rotates femur externally
How can the borders of the femoral triangle be remembered?
SAIL
S = sarotorius ( lies on the lateral border of the femoral triangle)
A= adductor longus ( medial border of the femoral triangle );
I = inguinal
L = ligament
What are the contents of the femoral triangle ?
N~ femoral nerve
A ~ femoral artery
V ~ femoral vein
E ~ empty space
L ~ lymphatics
GOES IN ORDER