The Knee

Question 1

Name the 5 ligaments that stabilise the knee joint

Answer 1

medial (tibial) collateral ligament, lateral (fibular) collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and patella ligament (tendon)

Question 2

Describe the lateral (fibular) collateral ligament including it’s function and any attachments

Answer 2

Strong fibrous cord, not attached to the joint capsule or lateral miniscus. It is taut in knee extension and prevents knee adduction

Question 3

Describe the medial (tibial) collateral ligament including it’s function and any attachments

Answer 3

Broad, flat ligament (thickens at joint capsule). Attached to medial meniscus. Is taut in knee extension and prevents knee abduction.

Question 4

Describe the anterior cruciate ligament including it’s function and any attachments

Answer 4

Stops tibia moving forward on the femur, stabilises knee extension and prevents hyperextension and excessive medial rotation

Question 5

Describe the posterior cruciate ligament including it’s function and any attachments

Answer 5

Stronger than anterior cruciate. Stops tibia moving backwarads on femur, stabilises knee in flexion and prevents lateral rotation

Question 6

Which muscles stop the synovial membrane being trapped between the patella and the femur?

Answer 6

Articularis genu and vastus intermedius (attach to femur and suprapatellar bursa)

Question 7

Which muscles move the knee in flexion?

Answer 7

Hamstrings (3 muscles at back of thigh)

Question 8

What 3 muscles are within the ‘hamstrings’?

Answer 8

Semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris

Question 9

Which nerve innervated the hamstrings?

Answer 9

Tibial part of the sciatic nerve

Question 10

Which muscles move the knee in extension?

Answer 10

Quadriceps femoris (4 muscles at front of thigh)

Question 11

Name the 4 muscles of the quadriceps.

Answer 11

Rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and vastus intermedialis

Question 12

Which nerve innervates the quadriceps?

Answer 12

Femoral nerve

Question 13

Define ‘meniscus’

Answer 13

a thin fibrous cartilage between the surfaces of some joints

Question 14

Describe where the menisci are found in the knee joint

Answer 14

Medial and lateral menisci lie between the femoral and tibial condyles

Question 15

Name the two types of menisci in the knee

Answer 15

Lateral and medial menisci

Question 16

Which two ligaments is the medial meniscus connected to?

Answer 16

Medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament

Question 17

What is the ‘patella’?

Answer 17

A sesamoid bone embedded in tendon and ligament within the knee joint

Question 18

What is the ‘patella ligament’?

Answer 18

Continuation of quadriceps femoris muscle tendon located in the anterior thigh. It is the ligament just after the patella.

Question 19

What is meant by ‘genu varum’?

Answer 19

Bow-legged

Question 20

What is meant by ‘genu valgum’?

Answer 20

Knock-kneed

Question 21

What is meant by the ‘q-angle’?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

How does the q-angle differ between genders?

Answer 22

Greater in women (due to wider hips)

Question 23

What does an increased q-angle indicate?

Answer 23

Genu valgum (knock-kneed) or patella subluxation

Question 24

How many bony articulations occur at the knee joint?

Answer 24

Three

Question 25

Name the articulations that occur at the knee joint.

Answer 25

Lateral femoral and tibial condyles with meniscus, medial femoral and tibial condyles with meniscus, patella and femur.

Question 26

What type of joint is the knee?

Answer 26

Predominantly hinge

Question 27

What movements are possible at the knee?

Answer 27

Flexion and extension (as well as some limited rotation to allow full extension)

Question 28

What two things does the stability of the knee joint depend upon?

Answer 28

Strength and actions of surrounding muscles (and their tendons), the ligaments that connect the femur and the tibia.

Question 29

How many bursa are present around the knee joint?

Answer 29

Six

Question 30

What is meant by ‘bursa’?

Answer 30

Often extensions of the synovial cavity which are filled with synovial fluid

Question 31

What is the function of bursa?

Answer 31

To act as cushions and protect against friction and rubbing of tendons, ligaments and bones around the joint.

Question 32

What is ‘Baker’s cyst’?

Answer 32

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.