Anatomia del Articulatio Genu

Anatomy of the Knee Joint

• The knee joint is the largest synovial joint in the body.
• It is a diarthrosis, meaning it's a freely movable joint.
• The joint comprises the distal end of the femur and the proximal part of the tibia.
• A femoro-patellar component is also present.
• The knee joint exhibits hinge-type movement.

Knee Joint Structure

• The knee joint encompasses various structures including bones, including the femur, tibia, and patella.
• The joint is surrounded by synovial membrane, producing synovial fluid which lubricates the joint.
• Articular cartilage covers the bone surfaces, facilitating smooth movement.
• Menisci (fibrocartilage) are present to deepen the tibial condyles, preventing rocking, and acting as shock absorbers.

Knee Joint Bursae and Synovium

• Synovium lines the inside of the joint capsule, extending to the suprapatellar bursa.
• The cruciate ligaments and popliteus tendon lie outside the synovial lining.
• Knee joint has several bursae, including suprapatellar, prepatellar (housemaid's knee), subcutaneous infrapatellar (clergyman's knee), and deep infrapatellar bursae.

Knee Joint Stability

• Bony factors: The bony structure influences knee stability.
• Ligamentous factors: Ligaments contribute to knee stability.
  • Collateral ligaments (medial and lateral) offer medial and lateral stability.
  • Cruciate ligaments (anterior and posterior), located inside the capsule, are crucial for anterior-posterior stability.
• Muscular factors: Muscles support the knee joint.
  • Vastus (medialis and lateralis) muscles are vital for patellar stability.
  • Iliotibial tract stabilizes the flexed knee.

Knee Joint Movement

• Major movements:
  • Flexion: Primarily facilitated by hamstring muscles, limited by contact with the thigh.
  • Extension: Primarily facilitated by quadriceps muscles, limited by tight cruciate and collateral ligaments
• Minor movements:
  • Rotation: A slight degree of rotation is possible during partial flexion, limited by ligaments. (medial and lateral)

Knee Joint Special Situations

• Locking of the knee: This mechanism is crucial for maintaining stability during upright stance
  • Femoral condyles roll across the tibial condyles.
  • Popliteus can reverse locking and untwist/slacken ligaments.

Intracapsular Ligaments

• Cruciate ligaments are located within the joint capsule
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) prevents posterior femoral movement on the tibia.
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) prevents anterior femoral movement on the tibia

Applied Anatomy of the Knee - Ligament Damage

• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries: often result from violent impacts to the tibia.
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries: commonly occur in a skiing accident.
• Medical and surgical interventions to treat injuries depend on the type and severity of the injuries.
• Medial and Lateral collateral ligment injuries: common and serious issues related to sideways force or unnatural joint movement.

Hemarthrosis

• Blood within the joint space; signifies a possible joint injury.
• Diagnosing the cause of hemarthrosis requires careful consideration and examinations. Possible reasons include meniscus injuries, intra-articular fractures, or other serious joint issues.

Surgical Approaches

• Various surgical methods exist for different purposes ranging from total access via anterior approaches to aspiration, joint injections, and arthroscopic access depending on the specific knee problem.

The Unhappy Triad

• A severe and common knee injury involving a combination of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), tibial collateral ligament (TCL), and medial meniscus.

Este quiz explora le anatomia del articulatio genu. Le participantes apprendera sobre le structurales e functiones de iste importante articulatio. Examina le os, tendines, e ligamentes implicate in su functionamento.