The Structure of The Knee Joint (week 6) Flashcards

1
Q

state 3 basic structural facts about the knee joint

A
  1. the largest, and one of the most complex, joints
  2. a bicondylar (modified) hinge joint allowing flexion, extension, and some rotation
  3. knee structure permits tremendous weight bearing capabilities as well as the mobility required for locomotor activities
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2
Q

state the names of the 3 articulations found at the knee joint

A
  1. medial tibiofemoral joint
  2. lateral tibiofemoral joint
  3. patellofemoral joint
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3
Q

state 3 facts about the medial, and lateral, tibiofemoral joints

A
  1. bicondylar articulation between the medial and lateral condyles of the tibia with the femur
  2. permits a large ROM (flexion + extension)
  3. permits a small degree of rotation (when the knee is flexed and the foot is off the ground)
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4
Q

what is the patellofemoral joint

A

consists of articulation between the triangular shaped patella, encased in the patella tendon with the trochlear groove between the femoral condyles

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5
Q

state 3 facts about the patella

A
  1. a sesamoid bone which can improve the mechanical advantage of the knee by up to 50%
  2. moves along the trochlear groove between the femoral condyles
  3. posterior surface is covered with articular cartilage to reduce friction
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6
Q

state 3 basic facts about the stability of the knee joint

A
  1. shape of articulating bones provide little stability at the knee joint
  2. tibial plateaus form only slight depressions separated by the intercondylar eminence
  3. therefore, other structures are required to provide stability
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7
Q

state what it is meant by the key term - tibial plateaus

A

tibial plateaus are where the condyles of the tibia form slight depressions separated by a region known as the ‘intercondylar eminence’

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8
Q

state what it is meant by the key term - menisci

A

menisci are fibrocartilage semi lunar discs located between the tibial and femoral condyles are are connected by a transverse ligament

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9
Q

state 2 structural facts about the menisci

A
  1. thickest part at the peripheral borders and then taper down at the inner edges
  2. the medial menisci merges with the joint capsule and the medial collateral ligament
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10
Q

state 2 functional properties of the menisci

A
  1. increase the connectivity of the tibial plateaus

2. distribute load in the knee over a large surface area and play a key role in shock absorption

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11
Q

state 4 facts (3 functional) about the ligaments of the knee

A
  1. cruciate ligaments make a cross with the knee capsule
  2. limit anterior and posterior movement of the tibia in relation to the femur during flexion and extension
  3. limit hyperextension (along with the posterior knee capsule)
  4. also restrict medial and lateral rotation
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12
Q

state what it is meant by the key term - anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

A

connects the anterior aspect of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia to the posterior medial surface of the lateral condyle of the femur

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13
Q

state what it is meant by the key term - posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

A

connects the posterior aspect of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia to the anterior surface of the lateral condyle of the femur

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14
Q

state what it is meant by the key term - lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

A

connects the lateral epicondyle of the femur to the head of the fibula and resists varus motion (knees out) of the knee

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15
Q

state what it is meant by the key term - medial collateral ligament (MCL)

A

connects the medial epicondyle of the femur to the medial tibia and resists valgus motion (knees in) of the knee

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16
Q

state 2 facts about the iliotibial band

A
  1. strong band of connective tissue (fascia) connecting the tensor fascia latae (TFL) to the lateral condyle of the femur, and the lateral tuberosity of the tibia
  2. stabilises the knee in extension and partial flexion
17
Q

state what it is meant by the key term - bursa

A

bursa are synovial fluid filled sacs which provide a cushion between a bone and a tendon, and/or muscles at a joint

18
Q

state the names, and locations, of the 3 bursa within the knee

A
  1. suprapatellar bursa - between the femur and the quadriceps, largest in the body
  2. subopopliteal bursa - between the lateral condyle of the femur and the popliteal muscle
  3. semimembranosus bursa - between the medial head of the gastrocnemius and the semimembranosus tendon
19
Q

state the names, and locations, of the 3 bursa that are associated with the knee, but are not within the knee itself

A
  1. prepatellar bursa - between the skin and the anterior surface of the patella
  2. superficial infra patellar bursa - between the skin and the patella tendon
  3. deep infra patellar bursa - between the tibial tuberosity and the patella tendon
20
Q

state the names of the 3 active movement pairs of the knee

A
  1. flexion and extension
  2. internal and external rotation
  3. patellofemoral joint action
21
Q

state 2 facts about flexion and extension at the knee

A
  1. popliteus ‘unlocks’ the knee at the beginning of flexion

2. hyperextension is limited by the shape of the bones, cruciate ligaments, and the posterior joint capsule

22
Q

state 2 facts about internal and external rotation at the knee

A
  1. can occur passively due to external loads when the limb is weight bearing
  2. can be generated by muscles when the knee is in a flexed position
23
Q

state 2 facts about patellofemoral knee joint action (active)

A
  1. patella glides inferiorly and superiorly on the femur with the excursion of approx. 7 cm
  2. patella tracking depends on the net force generated by the quadriceps and can be associated with knee pain
24
Q

state the names of the two passive movements at the knee

A
  1. varus - knees out

2. valgus - knees in

25
Q

state what causes varus and valgus knee action

A

passive, generated by external loads being placed on the knee rather than by an active muscle force

26
Q

state the names of the 4 anterior knee muscles

A
  1. rectus femoris
  2. vastas lateralis
  3. vastas intermedius
  4. vastas medialis
27
Q

state the names of the 6 posterior knee muscles

A
  1. semi membranosus
  2. semi tendinous
  3. bicep femoris
  4. popliteus
  5. gastrocnemius
  6. plantaris
28
Q

what is the location of the - supra-patella bursa

A

between the femur and the quadriceps, it is the largest bursa in the body

29
Q

what is the location of the - subopopliteal bursa

A

between the lateral condyle of the femur and the popliteal muscle

30
Q

what is the location of the - semi-membranosus bursa

A

between the medial head of the gastrocnemius and the semi-membranosus tendon

31
Q

what is the location of the - pre-patellar bursa

A

between the skin and the anterior surface off the patella

32
Q

what is the location of the - superficial infra-patellar bursa

A

between the skin and the patellar tendon

33
Q

what is the location of the - deep infra-patellar bursa

A

between the tibial tuberosity and the patellar tendon

34
Q

what type of joint is the patellofemoral joint ?

A

Saddle joint

35
Q

state what it is meant by the key term - ‘unhappy triad’

A

the ‘unhappy triad’ refers to a combined injury to the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and the medial meniscus

36
Q

state the names of the other 3 contributing ligaments to knee stability

A
  1. oblique popliteal ligament
  2. arcuate popliteal ligament
  3. transverse ligament