The knee anatomy

Question 1

Where is the patella located?

Answer 1

In the patellofemoral groove of the femur.

Question 2

The superior aspect of the patella is attached to what?

Answer 2

Quadriceps tendon

Question 3

What is the inferior aspect of the patella attached to?

Answer 3

Patellar ligament

Question 4

What type of bone is the patella?

Answer 4

Sesamoid bone

Question 5

What is the function of the ACL?

Answer 5

Resists anterior displacement of the ACL

Question 6

What is the function of the PCL?

Answer 6

Resists posterior displacement of the tibia

Question 7

What is the function of the MCL?

Answer 7

Resists valgus stress

Question 8

What is the function of the LCL?

Answer 8

Resists varus stress

Question 9

What is the function of the oblique popliteal ligament?

Answer 9

Reinforces/ stabilises posterior capsule

Question 10

Hyperextension of the knee is associated with which injury?

Answer 10

ACL injuries

Question 11

The knee joint is formed by articulations between which bones?

Answer 11

Patella
Femur
Tibia

Question 12

What is the weight bearing component of the knee joint?

Answer 12

Tibiofemoral articulation

Question 13

What does the patella do?

Answer 13

Increases efficiency of quadriceps femoris muscle

Question 14

What are the 2 functions of menisci?

Answer 14

Deepend articular surface of tibia = increased stability
Act as shock absorbers (increase SA allowing forces to dissipate over more area)

Question 15

Damage to which ligament also often causes a medial meniscal tear?

Answer 15

MCL

Question 16

What is a bursae?

Answer 16

A synovial fluid filled sack

Question 17

Where are bursae found?

Answer 17

Between moving structures in a joint

Question 18

What is the function of bursae?

Answer 18

Aim to reduce wear and tear of moving structures either side of them

Question 19

Name the 4 bursae found in the knee

Answer 19

Suprapetellar bursa
Prepatellar bursa
Infrapatellar bursa
Semimembranosus bursa

Question 20

What is the function of the collateral ligaments?

Answer 20

Stabilise hinge movement of the knee, preventing excessive medial or lateral movement

Question 21

What do the cruciate ligaments connect?

Answer 21

Femur and tibia

Question 22

What are the 4 main movements of the knee joint?

Question 23

Which muscles allow for knee extension?

Question 24

Which muscles allow for knee flexion?

Question 25

Which muscles allow for knee lateral rotation?

Question 26

Which muscles allow for knee medial rotation?

Question 27

How do injuries to the collateral ligaments occur?

Answer 27

Force being applied to the side of the knee when the foot is placed on the ground.

Question 28

How is the ACL most commonly injured?

Answer 28

Knee hyperextension OR large impact to back of knee with knee partially flexed

Question 29

What is the most common mechanism of PCL injury?

Answer 29

'Dashboard injury' **When the knee is bent and there is a large force applied to the shins, pushing the tibia posteriorly.

Question 30

What is another name for prepatellar bursitis?

Answer 30

Housemaid's knee

Question 31

What is an alternate name for infrapatellar bursitis?

Answer 31

Clergyman's knee

Question 32

Which injuries create the 'unhappy triad'?

Answer 32

Medial meniscal tear MCL tear ACL tear

Question 33

How can an unhappy tried injury happen?

Answer 33

A lateral force to an extended knee.

Question 34

In which muscle tendon does the patella sit?

Answer 34

Quadriceps femoris

Question 35

What are the borders of the popliteal fossa formed by?

Answer 35

Muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg or thigh

Question 36

What forms the superomedial border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 36

Semimembranosus

Question 37

What forms the superolateral border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 37

Biceps femoris

Question 38

What forms the inferomedial border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 38

Medial head of gastrocnemius

Question 39

What forms the inferolateral border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 39

Lateral head of gastrocnemius and plantaris

Question 40

What is the floor of the popliteal fossa formed by?

Answer 40

Posterior surface of knee joint capsule Popliteus muscle Posterior femur

Question 41

What forms the roof of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 41

Popliteal fascia and skin

Question 42

The popliteal fascia is continuous with what?

Answer 42

Fascia lata of the leg

Question 43

What are the contents of the popliteal fossa (medial to lateral)?

Answer 43

Popliteal artery Popliteal vein Tibial nerve Common peroneal nerve

Question 44

What are the most superficial contents of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 44

Tibial and common peroneal nerves

Question 45

Where in the popliteal fossa does the common peroneal nerve travel along?

Answer 45

The biceps femoris tendon, along the lateral margin.

Question 46

Which vein passes between the 2 heads of the gastrocnemius and drains into the popliteal vein?

Answer 46

Small saphenous vein

Question 47

What is the deepest structure in the popliteal fossa?

Answer 47

Popliteal artery

Question 48

What is a Baker's cyst?

Answer 48

Inflammation and swelling of the semimembranosus bursa. **can sometimes rupture and form symptoms similar to those of a DVT

Question 49

What are the main features of tibial nerve compression?

Answer 49

Weakened or absent plantarflexion Paraesthesia of foot and posterolateral leg

Question 50

Which way does the tibia rotate in the screw home mechanism?

Answer 50

The tibia rotates laterally (externally) on the femur.