The Knee

Question 1

What are the functions of the knee?

Answer 1

① support body weight
② transmit forces between femur and tibia
③ provide movement for locomotion

Question 2

What are menisci.

Answer 2

They are semi lunar fibrocartilage discs
medial meniscus is a semi circle
Lateral meniscus covers a larger area, 4/5 of a circle

Question 3

What are the functions of the menisci

Answer 3

① increase congruence between particular surfaces
② assist in weight bearing across joint.
③ shock absorbers
④ facilitate accessory movements.

Question 4

What are the major ligaments of the knee.

Answer 4

① medial collateral ligament (MCL)
Broad flat band 10 cm long, extra - capsular
Job is to stop Valgus displacement (abduction of joint)
② lateral collateral ligament (LCl)
Extra-capsular
Job isto stop varus displacement (adduction of joint)
③ anterior crucial ligament (ACL)
Intra-capsular
Job is to prevent anterior tibial displacement.
④ posterior crucial ligament ( PCl)
Intra-capsular
Job is to prevent posterior tibial displacement.

Question 5

What is the patellofemoral joint.

Answer 5

Synovial saddle joint between

• articular surface of patella
• patellar surface of femur

Question 6

What is the patella structure, function, movement?

Answer 6

The patella is the largest sesumoid bone in the body
Patella function
- Acts as an anatomic pulley
_ Reduces friction between quadriceps tendon and femoral condlyes
Patella movement
- moves distally in flexion
- moves proximally in extension

Question 7

What is a bursae

Answer 7

A bursae is a fluid filled sac which reduces friction.

Question 8

What are the movements of the knee

Answer 8

① flexion t extension - about horizontal axis in sagiltal plane
Bending in flexion, straightening is extension
② medial t lateral rotation- about vertical axis in transverse plane,

Closed packed position
- the knee is in full extension
- no rotation of the knee is possible
- knee locking mechanism

Question 9

What are the knee flexor muscles

Answer 9

① gastrocnemius muscle
② biceps femoris (short and long head)
③ semimembranosus muscle
④ semitendinous muscle
⑤ gracilis muscle
⑥ sartorious muscle

Question 10

What are the extensors of the knee (the muscles are all located about the knee)

Answer 10

① Rectus femoris muscle
② vastus medialis muscle
③ vastus lateralis muscle
④ vastus intermedius muscle
⑤ tensor fasciae latae

Question 11

What are the internal rotators

Answer 11

① populates muscle
② semimembranosus
③ semitendinosus
④ sartorius muscle
⑤ graceless

Question 12

What are the external rotators

Answer 12

Bicep femoris