The Knee Flashcards
Name the 5 ligaments that stabilise the knee joint
medial (tibial) collateral ligament, lateral (fibular) collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and patella ligament (tendon)
Describe the lateral (fibular) collateral ligament including it’s function and any attachments
Strong fibrous cord, not attached to the joint capsule or lateral miniscus. It is taut in knee extension and prevents knee adduction
Describe the medial (tibial) collateral ligament including it’s function and any attachments
Broad, flat ligament (thickens at joint capsule). Attached to medial meniscus. Is taut in knee extension and prevents knee abduction.
Describe the anterior cruciate ligament including it’s function and any attachments
Stops tibia moving forward on the femur, stabilises knee extension and prevents hyperextension and excessive medial rotation
Describe the posterior cruciate ligament including it’s function and any attachments
Stronger than anterior cruciate. Stops tibia moving backwarads on femur, stabilises knee in flexion and prevents lateral rotation
Which muscles stop the synovial membrane being trapped between the patella and the femur?
Articularis genu and vastus intermedius (attach to femur and suprapatellar bursa)
Which muscles move the knee in flexion?
Hamstrings (3 muscles at back of thigh)
What 3 muscles are within the ‘hamstrings’?
Semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris
Which nerve innervated the hamstrings?
Tibial part of the sciatic nerve
Which muscles move the knee in extension?
Quadriceps femoris (4 muscles at front of thigh)
Name the 4 muscles of the quadriceps.
Rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and vastus intermedialis
Which nerve innervates the quadriceps?
Femoral nerve
Define ‘meniscus’
a thin fibrous cartilage between the surfaces of some joints
Describe where the menisci are found in the knee joint
Medial and lateral menisci lie between the femoral and tibial condyles
Name the two types of menisci in the knee
Lateral and medial menisci
Which two ligaments is the medial meniscus connected to?
Medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament
What is the ‘patella’?
A sesamoid bone embedded in tendon and ligament within the knee joint
What is the ‘patella ligament’?
Continuation of quadriceps femoris muscle tendon located in the anterior thigh. It is the ligament just after the patella.
What is meant by ‘genu varum’?
Bow-legged
What is meant by ‘genu valgum’?
Knock-kneed
What is meant by the ‘q-angle’?
Line drawn from pelvis to central patella, then a line is drawn from the central patella to tibial tubercle and this line is continued vertically to form an angle.
How does the q-angle differ between genders?
Greater in women (due to wider hips)
What does an increased q-angle indicate?
Genu valgum (knock-kneed) or patella subluxation
How many bony articulations occur at the knee joint?
Three
Name the articulations that occur at the knee joint.
Lateral femoral and tibial condyles with meniscus, medial femoral and tibial condyles with meniscus, patella and femur.
What type of joint is the knee?
Predominantly hinge
What movements are possible at the knee?
Flexion and extension (as well as some limited rotation to allow full extension)
What two things does the stability of the knee joint depend upon?
Strength and actions of surrounding muscles (and their tendons), the ligaments that connect the femur and the tibia.
How many bursa are present around the knee joint?
Six
What is meant by ‘bursa’?
Often extensions of the synovial cavity which are filled with synovial fluid
What is the function of bursa?
To act as cushions and protect against friction and rubbing of tendons, ligaments and bones around the joint.
What is ‘Baker’s cyst’?
This may form from a normal bursa or from herniation of joint capsule, often associated with meniscal tears or degenerative arthritis and it appears as a swelling at the back of the knee.
