Knee Flashcards
(28 cards)
What type of joint is the knee?
Hinge joint
What bones make up the knee?
Femur
Tibia
Patella
What are the articulating surfaces?
Femoral condyles
Tibial condyles
Patellar surface of femur
Articular surface of patella
Which femoral condyle is larger?
Medial - takes more weight
What is between the femoral condyles?
Anteriorly - shallow depression for patella articulation
Posteriorly - intercondylar fossa
What makes up the tibial surface?
Tibial plateau
Medial surface - slightly concave
Lateral surface - slightly convex
What type of bone is the patella?
Sesamoid
What structure deepens the articular surface of the tibial element?
Menisci
What supports the knee joint?
Ligaments
Capsule
Muscles
What are the menisci?
Wedge shaped crescentic plates of fibrocartilage
What are the functions of the menisci?
Deepen the surface of articulation
Act as shock absorbers
How are the menisci attached to the joint capsule?
Coronary ligaments
How are the menisci attached anteriorly?
Transverse ligament of the knee
What are the intracapsular ligaments?
Anterior cruciate ligament
Posterior cruciate ligament
Where does the ACL lie?
Orignates anteriorly
Passes posteriorly
Inserts laterally
Where does the PCL lie?
Originates posteriorly
Passes anteriorly
Inserts medially
Which cruciate ligament is weaker?
ACL
What is the function of the ACL?
Limits anterior movement of the tibia on the femur
What is the function of the PCL?
Limits posterior movement of the tibia on the femur
Main stabiliser when weight bearing on a flexed knee
What is the joint capsule?
Capsule that surround the sides and posterior aspect of the joint
Why is the joint capsule absent anteriorly?
Allows synovial membrane to extend up beneath patella
What strengthens the joint capsule laterally?
Inferior fibres of vastus lateralis/medialis
What strengthens the joint capsule posteriorly?
Oblique popliteal ligament
What are the extra-capsular ligaments?
Medial collateral ligament
Lateral collateral ligament
