Structure of knee joint Flashcards
Type of joint
Largest synovial joint
Synovial bi-axial hinge joint
More than a hinge joint as knee allows rotation of tibia upon femur
Menisci
C shaped, attached to intercondylar area of tibia
Provide depth to femoral condyles
Acts as shock absorber
Medial and lateral femoral condyles
Medial condyle longer than lateral so during flexion and extension lateral condyle stops before medial which causes rotation component
Known as screw home mechanism- important role in knee extension
Surfaces
Tibial surface concave
Quadriceps pull tibia forwards
Hamstrings pull tibia backwards
ACL
Prevents tibia from sliding too far forwards
Arises from intercondylar area of tibia, ascends posterolaterally and inserts into lateral wall of intercondylar fossa
PCL
Restricts posterior movement of tibia relative to femur
Arises from intercondylar area of tibia ascends anteromedially and inserts into medial wall of intercondylar fossa
MCL
Proximally attaches to medial epicondyle inferior to adductor tubercle and distally attaches to medial surface of tibia
Prevents excessive abduction of tibia
LCL
Proximally attaches to lateral epicondyle
Distally attaches to lateral surface of head of fibula
Limits excessive adduction of tibia
Joint capsule
Thick ligamentous sheath
Arterial supply
From genicular anastomoses from femoral and popliteal arteries
Nerve supply
Femoral, tibial and common peroneal nerves
Medial meniscus
Less mobile and attached to medial collateral ligament so more vulnerable to injury
Whereas LCL is more mobile so less vulnerable
Bursae
Suprapatella bursa- between quadriceps femoris and femur
Prepatella bursa- between apex of patella and the skin
Infrapatella bursa- deep bursa is between tibia and patella ligament, superficial is between patella ligament and the skin
Semimembranosus bursa- between semimembranosus and medial head of gastrocnemius
Tibial plateau
Proximal tibial surface on which the femur rests
Patella tendon
Attaches patella to proximal tibia
