Anatomy dissection notes 5&6

Question 1

What is the knee joint ?

Answer 1

It is a synovial joint consisting of 3 articulations

2 between the femur and tibia and 1 between femur and patella

Question 2

What are the main movements of the knee joint ?

Answer 2

• Flexion and extension
• Note when flexed to 90 degrees a degree of medial and lateral rotation is possible

Question 3

What are the ligaments which help stabalise the knee joint ?

Answer 3

• The iliotibial tract
• Collaterals
• Cruciates

Question 4

Why is the medial mensici more vulnerable to injury than the lateral ?

Answer 4

Because the MM is attached peripherally to the MCL making it more vulnerable to tearing in a knee injury

Question 5

What is an unhappy triad knee injury ?

Answer 5

It is where The MCL, ACL are ruptured and the MM is torn

Question 6

Describe the route of the ACL and its attachments

Answer 6

It passes superiorly, laterally and posteriorly to attach to the lateral femoral chondyle

Question 7

Describe the route of the PCL

Answer 7

Passes superiorly and anteriorly to attach to the medial femoral condyle

Question 8

Where is the suprapatellar bursa located and what is its function ?

Answer 8

• Located posterior to the quadriceps tendon
• Function is to reduce friction on the quadriceps tendon

Question 9

What are the 4 muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg? (hint 3 of them are basically the opposite of the posterior compartment muscles)

Answer 9

1. Tibialis anterior
2. Extensor digitorum longus
3. Extensor hallucis longus
4. Fibularis tertius

Question 10

What are the main attachments of the anterior muscles of the leg ?

Answer 10

All muscles of the anterior leg attach proximally to tibia, fibula or interosseous membrane

And distally to the base of 1st metatarsal and medial cuneiform (Tibialis Anterior), distal phalanges of great toe (Extensor Hallucis Longus) and all digits (Extensor Digitorum Longus) and base of 5th metatarsal (Fibularis Tertius).

Question 11

What are the main functions of the anterior compartment muscles of the leg ?

Answer 11

• Dorsiflexion of the ankle, great toe and digits
• Also inversion and eversion of the foot

Question 12

What are the muscles of the lateral compartment of the leg ?

Answer 12

Fibularis longus and brevis

Question 13

What are the attachments of the fibularis muscles of the lateral compartment of the leg ?

Answer 13

Attach to fibula proximally and and pass to the plantar surface of the bases of the 1st & 5th metatarsal respectively

Question 14

What is the main function of the lateral compartment muscles of the leg ?

Answer 14

To evert the foot