p.1
Articulations of the Knee
What role does the patella play in the knee joint?
It allows the pull of the quadriceps femoris muscle to be directed anteriorly over the knee.
p.1
Major Ligaments of the Knee
What are the two types of ligaments that reinforce the knee joint?
Collateral ligaments and cruciate ligaments.
p.1
Cruciate Ligaments Function
What is the primary function of the cruciate ligaments?
To interconnect the ends of the femur and tibia and maintain their positions during movement.
p.7
Innervation of the Knee Joint
Which nerves innervate the knee joint?
Branches from the obturator, femoral, tibial, and common fibular nerves.
p.6
Cruciate Ligaments Function
What are the two cruciate ligaments in the knee?
The anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior cruciate ligament.
p.3
Synovial Membrane and Bursae
Where does the synovial membrane of the knee joint attach?
To the margins of the articular surfaces and to the superior and inferior outer margins of the menisci.
p.6
Cruciate Ligaments Function
Where does the posterior cruciate ligament attach?
To the posterior aspect of the intercondylar area of the tibia and ascends to the medial wall of the intercondylar fossa of the femur.
p.6
Cruciate Ligaments Function
Where does the anterior cruciate ligament attach?
To a facet on the anterior part of the intercondylar area of the tibia and ascends to the lateral wall of the intercondylar fossa of the femur.
p.6
Knee Joint Locking Mechanism
What occurs to the femoral surfaces during flexion?
They are the curved and rounded areas on the posterior aspects of the femoral condyles.
p.5
Major Ligaments of the Knee
What is the patellar ligament a continuation of?
The quadriceps femoris tendon.
p.3
Synovial Membrane and Bursae
What separates the synovial membrane from the patellar ligament?
An infrapatellar fat pad.
p.6
Knee Joint Locking Mechanism
What is one component of the knee joint locking mechanism?
A change in the shape and size of the femoral surfaces that articulate with the tibia.
p.1
Knee Joint Locking Mechanism
What is the locking mechanism of the knee joint?
It reduces the amount of muscle energy required to keep the joint extended when standing.
p.4
Fibrous Membrane of the Knee Joint
How is the fibrous membrane attached laterally?
It is separated by a space from the fibular collateral ligament and is not attached to the lateral meniscus.
p.6
Cruciate Ligaments Function
Why are the cruciate ligaments termed 'cruciate'?
Because they cross each other in the sagittal plane.
p.6
Cruciate Ligaments Function
What is the function of the posterior cruciate ligament?
It restricts posterior displacement of the tibia relative to the femur.
p.4
Fibrous Membrane of the Knee Joint
What is the role of the iliotibial tract in relation to the fibrous membrane?
It reinforces the fibrous membrane anterolaterally.
p.2
Menisci Structure and Function
How is the medial meniscus attached?
Attached around its margin to the capsule of the joint and to the tibial collateral ligament.
p.2
Menisci Structure and Function
What connects the anterior parts of the menisci?
A transverse ligament of the knee.
p.3
Synovial Membrane and Bursae
How does the synovial membrane interact with the posterior cruciate ligament?
It reflects off the fibrous membrane of the joint capsule and loops forward around the ligament, excluding it from the articular cavity.
p.6
Knee Joint Locking Mechanism
What happens to the knee joint when standing?
The knee joint is locked into position, reducing muscle work needed to maintain standing.
p.4
Synovial Membrane and Bursae
What is the location of the prepatellar bursa?
Subcutaneous and anterior to the patella.
p.2
Menisci Structure and Function
How do the menisci improve joint function?
By improving congruency between the femoral and tibial condyles during joint movements.
p.6
Cruciate Ligaments Function
What is the function of the anterior cruciate ligament?
It prevents anterior displacement of the tibia relative to the femur.
p.4
Fibrous Membrane of the Knee Joint
What is the function of the fibrous membrane of the knee joint?
It encloses the articular cavity and the intercondylar region.
p.4
Fibrous Membrane of the Knee Joint
What is the significance of the popliteus muscle in relation to the fibrous membrane?
Its tendon passes through an aperture in the fibrous membrane and is enclosed as it travels around the joint.
p.2
Menisci Structure and Function
Why is the lateral meniscus more mobile than the medial meniscus?
Because the lateral meniscus is unattached to the capsule.
p.3
Synovial Membrane and Bursae
What ligaments are enclosed within the fibrous membrane of the knee joint?
The two cruciate ligaments.
p.3
Synovial Membrane and Bursae
What is the subpopliteal recess?
A small expansion of the synovial membrane that extends posterolaterally from the articular cavity, lying between the lateral meniscus and the tendon of the popliteus muscle.
p.1
Menisci Structure and Function
How are the menisci attached in the knee joint?
At each end to facets in the intercondylar region of the tibial plateau.
p.5
Major Ligaments of the Knee
What is the function of the collateral ligaments?
To stabilize the hinge-like motion of the knee.
p.5
Major Ligaments of the Knee
What is the attachment point of the tibial collateral ligament?
It attaches to the medial margin and the underlying fibrous membrane.
p.4
Major Ligaments of the Knee
What ligaments are associated with the knee joint?
Patellar ligament, tibial (medial) and fibular (lateral) collateral ligaments, anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments.
p.2
Menisci Structure and Function
To which muscle is the lateral meniscus connected?
The tendon of the popliteus muscle.
p.5
Major Ligaments of the Knee
Where is the fibular collateral ligament attached?
Superiorly to the lateral femoral epicondyle and inferiorly to the lateral surface of the fibular head.
p.3
Synovial Membrane and Bursae
What is the suprapatellar bursa?
A large bursa that is a continuation of the articular cavity, located between the distal end of the femur and the quadriceps femoris muscle and tendon.
p.4
Synovial Membrane and Bursae
What are the two types of infrapatellar bursae?
Deep and subcutaneous infrapatellar bursae.
p.7
Vascular Supply to the Knee Joint
What arteries predominantly supply the vascular supply to the knee joint?
Descending and genicular branches from the femoral, popliteal, and lateral circumflex femoral arteries.
p.2
Menisci Structure and Function
What changes occur in the surfaces of the femoral condyles during joint movements?
They change from small curved surfaces in flexion to large flat surfaces in extension.
p.3
Synovial Membrane and Bursae
What is the infrapatellar synovial fold?
A sharp midline fold of the synovial membrane that attaches to the margin of the intercondylar fossa of the femur.
p.3
Synovial Membrane and Bursae
What role does the articularis genus muscle play in relation to the suprapatellar bursa?
It pulls the bursa away from the joint during extension of the knee.
p.4
Fibrous Membrane of the Knee Joint
What reinforces the fibrous membrane anteriorly?
Tendinous expansions from the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles.
p.7
Vascular Supply to the Knee Joint
Which artery in the leg contributes to the vascular supply of the knee joint?
The circumflex fibular artery and recurrent branches from the anterior tibial artery.
p.5
Major Ligaments of the Knee
Where is the patellar ligament attached?
Above to the margins and apex of the patella, and below to the tibial tuberosity.
p.5
Major Ligaments of the Knee
Where is the tibial collateral ligament anchored?
Superiorly to the medial femoral epicondyle just inferior to the adductor tubercle.
p.1
Menisci Structure and Function
What are the two menisci in the knee joint?
Medial meniscus and lateral meniscus.
p.4
Fibrous Membrane of the Knee Joint
Where does the fibrous membrane blend on the medial side of the knee joint?
With the tibial collateral ligament and is attached to the medial meniscus.
