the knee, leg and tibiofibular joints Flashcards
what bones (&their parts) articulate in order to form the** knee joint**?
- femur- distal end of femur - medial and lateral condyles
- tibia- proximal end of tibia - tibial plateau
- posterior aspect of patella
Describe the** osteology **of the distal femur
- lateral and medial condyles
- lateral and medial epicondyles
- patellar surface
- supracondylar line
- intercondylar fossa
describe the osteology of the tibia
anteroirly and posteriorly
anterior :
* head of the tibia
* tibial tuberosity
* shaft of the tibia
* medial malleolus
* intercondylar eminence
posterior:
* soleal line - where soleus muscle attaches
Describe the osteology of the fibula (anterior and posterior view)
anterior & anterior :
* head of fibula
* neck of fibula
* shaft
* lateral malleolus
what are the 2 tibiofibular joints called?
- proximal tibiofibular joint
- distal tibiofibular joint
what are menisci?
the menisci are fibrocartilage crescent shaped plates found between the articulating surfaces of the femur and tibia
what are the functions of the menisci?
- deepen the articular surface
- act as a cushion for the bones
where are the menisci located?
- between the femoral and tibial condyles
what type of membrane lines the interior capsule of the menisci?
- a synovial membrane
what are the 2 menisci of the knee?
lateral and medial
what are the extracapular ligaments of the knee?
- NB found outside the joint capsule
- patellar ligament
- medial collateral
- lateral collateral
what are the intracapsular ligaments of the knee?
- NB found within the joint capsule
- anterior cruciate ligament
- posterior cruciate ligament
Describe the medial collateral ligament
- broad and flat
- medial femoral epicondyle to medial tibia
- NB ATTACHED TO MEDIAL MENISCUS
Describe the **lateral collateral ligament **
- thin and cord like
- lateral femoral epicondyle to head of fibula
- NB not attached to lateral meniscus or joint capsule
describe the** patellar ligament**
(structure and function)
* strong, thick, fibrous band that is a distal continuation of the quadriceps femoris tendon
* plays a major role in stabilising the patella and **preventing its displacement **
Describe the **anterior cruciate ligament **
attachments and functions
attachments:
* lateral femoral condyle
* anterior tibial plateau
functions:
* prevents femur sliding posterioly on tibia
* prevents hyperextension of the knee joint
Describe the posterior cruciate ligament - attachments & functions
attachments
* medial femoral condyle
* posterior tibial plateau
functions
* prevents femur sliding anteriorly on the tibia- especially in flexed knee eg when walking down hill
note - better blood supply and stronger than ACL
what is a good abbreviation for learning the attachments of the intracapsular ligaments?
LAMP
ACL
- Lateral femoral condyle
- Anterior tibial plateau
PCL
- Medial femoral condyle
- Posterior tibal plateau
what type of joint is the knee joint?
- hinge joint but modified hinge joint - as there can be some medial & lateral rotation
what are the 2 main movements that the knee joint can carry out?
flexion & extension
what muscles are involved in flexion of the knee?
the 3 hamstring muscles
* bicep femoris
* semimembranosis
* semitendonosis
what muscles are involved in extension of the knee & what nerve innervates these muscles?
the 4 quadriceps femoris muscles
* rectus femoris
* vastus lateralis
* vastus medialis
* vastus intermedius
innervation - the femoral nerve (L2-L4)
what is ‘locking of the knee’?
- the knee joint in full extension
- femur rotates medially on the tibia
- knee becomes rigid
what is ‘unlocking’ of the knee?
- the ligaments become untwisted and relaxed
- popliteus muscle laterally rotates the femur on tibia
what are synovial bursae, where are they found and what are their functions?
- fluid filled sac like cavities
- found wherever skin, muscle or tendon rub against the bone
functions - reduce friction and facilitate movement