Lecture 13 - Knee & Patellofemoral Joints

Question 1

What is the tibia?

Answer 1

• Medial (inside) side of lower leg
• Much larger & stronger than the Fibula
• Proximal end is much larger; Tibial plateau
• Distal end is enlarged ; Medial malleolus

Question 2

What is the tibial plateau?

Answer 2

• Triangular shaped with 3 borders, sharpest is the anterior border
• Easily palpated as the sharp point on the anterior surface of your shin
• articulates with the medial & lateral femoral condyles

Question 3

What is the intercondylar eminence ?

Answer 3

• the raised area on the proximal tibial surface between the articular facets
• divides the intercondylar area into an anterior & posterior part

Question 4

What are the medial & lateral tibial condyles?

Answer 4

• the medial condyle is a thicker structure that bears 60% of the knees weight; located medial (inner portion) of tibia
• the lateral tibial condyle is a thinner, weaker condyle, located on the lateral (outside portion) of the tibia. It serves as an attachment point for the biceps femoris

Question 5

What is the shaft of the tibia?

Answer 5

• main function is to bear weight

Question 6

What is the tibial tuberosity?

Answer 6

• sits on the anterior surface of the proximal shaft of the tibia
• attachment of patellar tendon

Question 7

What is the medial malleolus?

Answer 7

• the bony pump on the inner side of the ankle
• end of the shinbone (tibia)
• supports the inner side of the angle joint

Question 8

What is the fibula?

Answer 8

• Lateral side of leg (outside bone); Long & thin
• Bears approx. 1/5 of body weight
• Proximal portion does not articulate with the knee joint
• key features; Head of the fibula & Lateral malleolus; Descends further than the medial malleolus of the tibia

Question 9

What is the proximal/superior tibiofibular joint?

Answer 9

• Synovial gliding joint; Articulates with the lateral tibial condyle
• Has 2 capsular ligaments:
• Anterior superior tibiofibular ligament; connects the bone
• Posterior superior tibiofibular ligament; holds the tibia & fibula together

Question 10

What is interosseous membrane ?

Answer 10

• extends between the interosseous crests of the tibia & fibula & separates the muscles from front & back

Question 11

What is the distal/inferior tibiofibular joint?

Answer 11

• A syndesmosis-fibrous joint; when 2 parallel bones unite
• Has 2 supporting ligaments:
• Anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament; flat & strong, located on anterior surface of lateral malleolus, stabilizes the joint
• Posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament; attaches to the posterior lateral malleolus, holds the tibia & fibula together