thigh, knee & popliteal fossa

Question 1

What is the main muscle of the posterior thigh?

Answer 1

Hamstrings

Question 2

Which posterior thigh muscle does not contribute to hip extension & why?

Answer 2

Short head (SH) of the hamstrings
*does not cross the hip jt (ORIGIN!)

Question 3

Name the muscles of the posterior thigh

Answer 3

Hamstrings (SH & LH)
Semitendinosus (ST)
Semimembranosus (SM)

Question 4

Which posterior muscles contribute to the superior border of the popliteal fossa?

Answer 4

Lateral: Hamstrings
Medial: Semimembranosus

Question 5

True or false?
The biceps femoris have a common origin but separate insertions

Answer 5

False
The biceps femoris have separate origins but the same insertion

Question 6

Which arteries supply blood to the posterior compartment of the thigh?

Answer 6

Perforating arteries of the deep femoral artery

Question 7

How is the blood supply of the posterior thigh able to arrive to the femur?

Answer 7

Openings in adductor magnus (AM) allowing the perforating arteries to travel from anterior to posterior & around the back of the femur

Question 8

What are the 3 articulations of the knee joint?

Answer 8

Lateral tibiofemoral
Medial tibiofemoral
Patellofemoral

Question 9

What structure does the synovial membrane of the knee jt not encapsule?

Answer 9

Ligaments

Question 10

What structures articulate tgt in the lateral tibiofemoral articulation?

Answer 10

plateau of lateral tibial condyle + lateral femoral condyle

Question 11

What structures articulate tgt in the medial tibiofemoral articulation?

Answer 11

plateau of medial tibial condyle + medial femoral condyle

Question 12

What structures articulate tgt in the patellofemoral articulation?

Answer 12

posterior surface of patella + the patellar groove of the femur

Question 13

Which articulation is also called the sesamoid bone?

Answer 13

Patellofemoral articulation

Question 14

Why are kneecaps crucial to knee mobilization?

Answer 14

It gives the quads leverage when contracted to extend the knee

Question 15

What is the runner’s knee?

Answer 15

Misalignment of the Patella in the femoral trochlea
*usually patella slides to laterally

Question 16

Name the ligaments that reinforce the knee jt

Answer 16

Collateral Ligaments
*Medial (Tibial) Collateral Ligament (MCL)
*Lateral (Fibular) Collateral Ligament (LCL)

Question 17

What structures does the MCL attach?

Answer 17

Medial femoral epicondyle → proximal tibia (medial condyle), medial meniscus

Question 18

What structures does the LCL attach?

Answer 18

Lateral femoral epicondyle → lateral surface of head of fibula

Question 19

Name the ligaments inside VS outside the synovial capsule

Answer 19

Extra-capsular Ligaments: Collateral Ligaments

Intra-capsular Ligaments: Cruciate Ligaments

Question 20

LCL vs MCL

Answer 20

LCL
-cord-like
-stronger (stiffer)
-completely outside jt capsule

MCL
-flat band
-attaches to jt capsule
-firm attachment to medial meniscus

Question 21

Btw the LCL & MCL which is one more commonly injured?

Answer 21

MCL
*LCL is stronger bcs it is stiffer

Question 22

What type of synovial jt is the knee jt?

Answer 22

Condylar joint

Question 23

Which ligaments of the knee joints cross eachother?

Answer 23

Cruciate ligaments:
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)

Question 24

Why is the knee jt not ery stable?

Answer 24

Articulation btw a round surface (femur condyles) & a flat surface (tibial plateau)

Question 25

Direction of the ACL VS PCL

Answer 25

FUM:BUL (from intercondylar area of tibia)

*FUM (PCL): Forward, Upward, Medial
*BUL (ACL): Backward, Upward Lateral

Question 26

What kind of displacement do the cruciate ligaments limit?

Answer 26

ACL: limits anterior displacement of tibia on femur
PCL: limits posterior displacement of tibia on femur
Both - assist with rotational stability of the knee

Question 27

Name the muscle firmly attached to the medial meniscus

Answer 27

MCL: medial collateral ligament

Question 28

Which meniscus has a ligament firmly attached to it?

Answer 28

Medial meniscus

Question 29

Medial VS Lateral meniscus

Answer 29

Medial meniscus
* Relatively immobile
* Crescent-shaped

Lateral meniscus
* Fairly mobile to accommodate flexion/extension
* Circular in shape (almost complete O)

Question 30

What is the function of the Menisci

Answer 30

Fibrocartilaginous discs (wedge-like/thicker on edges)
-provide cushioning for the knee
-enhance joint congruence of the femoral and tibial
condylar surfaces

Question 31

Which meniscus is more susceptible to injury?

Answer 31

Medial meniscus

Question 32

What is the Unhappy Triad?

Answer 32

Rupture of the 3:

1. ACL
2. MCL
3. Medial meniscus

Question 33

What is a bursae?

Answer 33

Fluid-filled sacs that keep the joint lubricated
& reduce friction between adjacent structures

Question 34

When does the knee jt lock?

Answer 34

In full extension (last 20 degrees of extension) to stabilize the leg when standing

Question 35

Why does the femur rotate medially on the tibia as the knee fully extends?

Answer 35

Morphology of the femur:
Medial condyle of the femur is larger so come in contact of the tibia first, to complete the extension the femur has to rotate medially so the lateral condyle comes in full contact with the tibia

Question 36

What is the role of the popliteus muscle?

Answer 36

Involved in unlocking of the knee on fixed tibia (in weight bearing, e.g., standing)

Question 37

Where does the sciatic nerve end?

Answer 37

Ends near superior border of popliteal fossa

Question 38

Which veins dumps into the popliteal vein at the popliteal fossa?

Answer 38

Lesser saphenous vein

Question 39

Which nerves exit the popliteal fossa?

Answer 39

Common fibular n.
Medial and lateral sural cutaneous nn.

Question 40

When do the femoral a&v become popliteal a&v?

Answer 40

As soon as they pass through adductor hiatus