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2.3 T2: Musculoskeletal system > T2 L10: Anatomy of the knee > Flashcards

T2 L10: Anatomy of the knee Flashcards

1
Q

The knee joint is the articulation between which bones?

A

The distal femur and the proximal tibia

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2
Q

What type of joint is the knee joint?

A

A synovial bicondylar hinge joint

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3
Q

What forms the synovial capsule around the knee joint?

A

The tendons that surround the patella

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4
Q

What is the function of the tibial condyles?

A

Also known as the tibial plateau, they receive the femoral condyles

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5
Q

Which factors provide stability for the knee joint and how?

A
  • Bony expansions: The bones have condyles and fossa’s that all articulate
  • Locking mechanism: There is a round and flat surface on either side. Medial rotation tightens ligaments of the knee. The centre of gravity maintains extension
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6
Q

What is the difference between the anatomical and femoral angle of the femur?

A

Anatomical is the one that passes through the femur (at an angle)

Mechanical is the one that bears the weight (vertical)

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7
Q

What is Genu varum?

A

There is medial displacement of the tibia causing ‘bow legs’

Knee’s are apart so there is increased stress resulting in degradation in joint

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8
Q

What is genu valgum?

A

Lateral displacement of the tibia causing the knee’s to be too close together

Causes ‘knock- knee’s’ and increased stress on the joint resulting in degradation knee’s’

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9
Q

What are the types of ligaments at the knee joint?

A

Extracapsular: medial and lateral collateral ligaments

Intracapsular: anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments

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10
Q

What does tearing of the lateral collateral ligament result in?

A

Varus deformity

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11
Q

What does tearing if the medial collateral ligament result in?

A

Valgus deformity

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12
Q

What is the origin and insertion of the cruciate ligaments?

A

Origin: lateral femoral condyle

Insertion: intercondylar area

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13
Q

How do you know which cruciate ligament in the knee is posterior?

A

It’s in relation to the tibia

Anterior to their position on the tibia or posterior

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14
Q

What is the function of cruciate ligament?

A

They prevent anterior and posterior displacement of the tibia on the femur

They maintain the femur against the tibia. At least 1 ligament is always tense

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15
Q

What happens to the cruciate ligaments during medial and lateral rotation of the leg?

A

Medial: ligaments tighten so there is limited rotation

Lateral: ligaments unwind

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16
Q

Which cruciate ligament is most frequently injured?

A

The anterior cruciate ligament is weaker. It’s a common sports injury caused by sudden rotation of the knee

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17
Q

What is the Lachman test?

A

A passive accessory movement test of the knee performed to identify the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament

It involves moving the tibia up and down while maintaining position of the femur to look for looseness

18
Q

What is the menisci of the knee joint?

A

The medial and lateral menisci provide a deepening of the articulating surfaces to increase stability

19
Q

Which surfaces of the menisci in the knee are mobile?

A

Only the anterior and posterior bits are attached to the intercondylar area. The rest is mobile

20
Q

Why is the medial meniscus less mobile than the lateral meniscus?

A

Because the medial meniscus is attached to the medial collateral ligament

21
Q

What is an unhappy triad injury?

A

Twisting on a flexed knee and a blow to the lateral side during contact sports like rugby

Causes rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and the medial meniscus

22
Q

Why is the unhappy triad injury so hard to repair?

A

Because there is poor blood supply to the intracapsular structures

It generally requires surgery

23
Q

What is the function of the iliotibial tract?

A

It’s the deep band of fascia on the leg that stabilises the joint capsule

24
Q

Which muscles insert onto the iliotibial fascia?

A

Gluteus maximus and tensor fascia lata

25
Q

What is the group of muscles that extend the leg?

A

The quadriceps

  • Rectus femoris
  • Vastus lateralis
  • Vastus medialis
  • Vastus intermedius
26
Q

Which structures form the extensor mechanism?

A

The quadriceps tendon, patella, and patellar ligament

27
Q

What is the function of the patella?

A

It’s a triangular-shaped sesamoid bone that protects the quadriceps tendon from stresses during locomotion

28
Q

What are the aponeurotic expansions of vastus lateralis and medialis called?

A

Lateral and medial patellar retinaculum

They help stabilise the patella

29
Q

What is a sesamoid bone?

A

One that forms between tendons

30
Q

Which group of muscles are the flexors of the leg?

A

The hamstrings

  • Biceps femoris
  • Semimembranosus
  • Semitendinosus
31
Q

What is the origin of the hamstrings?

A

The ischial tuberosity

32
Q

What is the function of the popliteus muscle?

A

It unlocks the knee joint at the back of the knee

It laterally rotates the femur on the tibia when the foot is on the ground

33
Q

Which spaces does the popliteus muscles pass through?

A

Passes through the joint capsule and the space under the lateral collateral ligament

34
Q

What are the names of the bursae within the knee joint?

A
  • Suprapatellar bursae
  • Prepatellar bursae
  • Infrapatellar bursae

They protect and reduce friction

35
Q

Which patellar bursae is continuous with the synovial membrane?

A

The suprapatellar bursae

36
Q

Where are bursae found?

A

Anywhere where there is friction including between tendons

37
Q

What causes prepatellar bursitis?

A

Known as ‘housemaid’s knee’

Caused by continuous leaning forward of the knee which brings the patellar bursa in contact the the floor

Common in carpet fitters

38
Q

What causes infrapatellar bursitis?

A

Also known as clergyman’s knee

Caused by prolonged sitting on your heels which brings the infrapatellar bursa in contact with the floor

39
Q

What causes a popliteal cyst?

A

Also known as a bakers cyst

Caused by herniation of the bursa. Common in people with chronic inflammatory joint disease

40
Q

How is a popliteal cyst treated?

A

By aspiration and cortisone injection

41
Q

Which arteries form the knee anastomosis?

A

The femoral and popliteal artery

Poor blood supply to the intracapsular structures

2.3 T2: Musculoskeletal system (13 decks)

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