The Knee Joint Flashcards
What are the 2 articulations of the knee joint?
Tibiofemoral (Between distal femur and proximal tibia)
Patellofemoral (Articulation with the patella)
What type of fluid is found around the knee joint?
Synovial fluid
Why does the knee joint have greater stability when locked/fully extended?
Greater articulating surface
(Femoral condyles have a greater surface area of contact with the tibial plateau
What anatomical movement happens to the femur when the knee joint locks and unlocks?
Slight medial rotation to lock it
Laterally rotates to unlock it
What is the advantage of the knee locking?
Prevents muscle fatigue as constant muscle contraction is not required if bones lock together
What is the knee joint supported by?
Intracapsular ligaments (ACL and PCL)
Extracapsular ligaments (Lateral Collateral and Medial Collateral ligaments)
Menisci
Quadriceps
Joint Capsule
What are Menisci?
Fibrocartilage found on the superior surface of the Tibial plateau
What is the shape of the lateral meniscus?
Round
What is the shape of the Medial meniscus?
C-Shaped
What ligament is the medial meniscus connected to?
Medial collateral ligament
What is the function of the Menisci?
SHOCK absorption
Increase congruity of the joint (SA of contact between femoral condyles and tibial plateau)
What is Valgus strain?
Strain that tries to push the knee joint MEDIALLY
(Lateral to medial)
What is a way to remember what ValGUS strain is?
A GUST of wind makes a woman bring her KNEES TOGETHER while she holds down her dress
What is Varus strain?
When the knee is trying to be forced LATERALLY
(MEDIAL to LATERAL)
What is an easy way to remember what Varus strain is?
Opposite of ValGUS
Think Rickets = bowed legs
Rickets has an R in it
VaRus
Where is the Anterior Cruciate ligament located?
Inserts Anteriorly on the intercondylar eminence of Tibia and intercondylar fossa of the femur
What is the function of the Anterior Cruciate ligament?
Prevents Tibia moving anteriorly relative to the femur
Prevents Femur moving posteriorly relative to the tibia
Where is the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) in the joint?
Inserts/attaches posteriorly on the tibia at the intercondylar eminence
What is the function of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament?
Prevents Tibia moving posteriorly relative to the femur
Prevents Femur moving anteriorly relative to the Tibia
What are Bursae?
Fluid filled sacs
What is the function of Bursae?
Increase fluidity of the joint reducing friction of the knee
Where is the superficial/subcutaneous preptellar bursa located?
Anterior to patella
Where is Subsatorial bursa located?
Associated with peas anserinus
Where is the Semimembranosus bursa located?
Posterior to the knee joint
What is the joint capsule composed of?
Outer thin fibrous membrane
Inner synovial membrane
What is the function of the joint capsule?
Provide rigidity and stability of joint
Which muscles strengthen the joint capsule medially and the laterally?
Medial Strength = Vastus medialis
Lateral strength = Vastus Lateralis
What ligaments strengthen the joints capsule medially and laterally?
The collateral ligaments
Medially = Medial collateral ligament
Laterally = Lateral collateral ligament
What are the 4 muscles that make up the quadriceps femoris of the ANTERIOR compartment of the thigh?
Rectus femoris
Vastus intermedius
Vastus lateralis
Vastus medialis
Where is Vastus intermedius located?
Underneath Rectus femoris