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Questions and Answers
Which ligament attaches the lateral meniscus to the popliteus tendon?
Which ligament attaches the lateral meniscus to the popliteus tendon?
- Coronary ligament
- Popliteus ligament (correct)
- Medial collateral ligament
- Popliteus tendon
What is the function of the synovial fluid found in the joint capsule?
What is the function of the synovial fluid found in the joint capsule?
- To provide nutrients to the joint
- Both a and b (correct)
- To stabilize the joint
- To lubricate the joint
Which of the following structures is considered extra-synovial but intra-capsular?
Which of the following structures is considered extra-synovial but intra-capsular?
- Cruciate ligament (correct)
- Patella
- Tibia
- Femur
What is the purpose of the thicker and stronger posterior aspect of the joint capsule?
What is the purpose of the thicker and stronger posterior aspect of the joint capsule?
Which ligament is NOT attached to the lateral meniscus?
Which ligament is NOT attached to the lateral meniscus?
How is the joint capsule held together?
How is the joint capsule held together?
What is the approximate length of the medial collateral ligament?
What is the approximate length of the medial collateral ligament?
Which ligament is described as a 'tendinous expansion of the semimembranosus muscle'?
Which ligament is described as a 'tendinous expansion of the semimembranosus muscle'?
What is the purpose of the joint capsule in the knee?
What is the purpose of the joint capsule in the knee?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the lateral collateral ligament?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the lateral collateral ligament?
What is the purpose of the bursa within the knee joint?
What is the purpose of the bursa within the knee joint?
Which of the following ligaments is described as a 'flat band-like' structure?
Which of the following ligaments is described as a 'flat band-like' structure?
What is the function of bursae in the knee joint?
What is the function of bursae in the knee joint?
Which bursa communicates with the joint cavity and is located between the lower half of the patella and skin?
Which bursa communicates with the joint cavity and is located between the lower half of the patella and skin?
What is the main blood supply to the knee?
What is the main blood supply to the knee?
Which bursa lies beneath the medial head of the gastrocnemius and can communicate with the joint cavity?
Which bursa lies beneath the medial head of the gastrocnemius and can communicate with the joint cavity?
Which artery encircles the femoral condyle and is part of the blood supply to the knee?
Which artery encircles the femoral condyle and is part of the blood supply to the knee?
Where are the posterior cruciate ligaments mainly supplied from?
Where are the posterior cruciate ligaments mainly supplied from?
Which muscle plays a role in both flexion and internal rotation of the knee when flexed?
Which muscle plays a role in both flexion and internal rotation of the knee when flexed?
Which structure is responsible for extending the knee joint during activities like walking and running?
Which structure is responsible for extending the knee joint during activities like walking and running?
Which muscle is primarily responsible for the formation of the fibrous capsule of the knee joint?
Which muscle is primarily responsible for the formation of the fibrous capsule of the knee joint?
Which muscle group is responsible for the extension of the knee joint?
Which muscle group is responsible for the extension of the knee joint?
Which muscle is part of the adductor group and also contributes to internal rotation when the knee is flexed?
Which muscle is part of the adductor group and also contributes to internal rotation when the knee is flexed?
Which muscle is primarily responsible for kicking a ball?
Which muscle is primarily responsible for kicking a ball?
What type of joint is the knee?
What type of joint is the knee?
Which of the following structures provide the main blood supply to the knee joint?
Which of the following structures provide the main blood supply to the knee joint?
Which of the following best describes the shape of the menisci in the knee joint?
Which of the following best describes the shape of the menisci in the knee joint?
Which of the following structures connect the quadriceps muscle to the tibia?
Which of the following structures connect the quadriceps muscle to the tibia?
What is the maximum active rotation possible at the knee joint in the flexed position?
What is the maximum active rotation possible at the knee joint in the flexed position?
Which of the following structures connect the femur to the tibia?
Which of the following structures connect the femur to the tibia?
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Study Notes
Knee Joint Anatomy
- The knee joint is a modified hinge joint between the femur, tibia, and patella.
- It is the largest synovial joint in the body and allows flexion and extension of the leg as well as some rotation in the flexed position.
Medial and Lateral Menisci
- The medial meniscus is attached to the medial collateral ligament.
- The lateral meniscus is attached to the popliteus tendon.
- Both menisci are attached to the femur and tibia via the coronary ligaments.
Joint Capsule
- The joint capsule is made up of the patella, tibia, and femur.
- The capsule is held together with ligaments (fibrous connective tissue) that help with the range of motion.
- The joint capsule contains synovial fluid, which lubricates and provides nutrients to the joint.
Ligaments
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): attaches from the anterior tibial plateau to the lateral femoral condyle.
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL): attaches from the posterior intercondylar area to the medial femoral condyle.
- Medial collateral ligament: attaches from the medial epicondyle to the medial surface of the tibia, separated from the tibia by the inferior medial genicular arteries.
- Lateral collateral ligament: attaches from the lateral epicondyle to the fibular head, not attached to the lateral meniscus.
Bursa
- There are approximately 14 small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) within the knee joint.
- Bursae reduce friction between the tissues of the knee and prevent inflammation.
- Examples of bursae include:
- Suprapatellar bursa: superior extension of the knee joint cavity.
- Prepatellar bursa: communicates with the joint cavity, between the lower half of the patella and skin.
- Subcutaneous infrapatellar bursa: between the patella ligament and skin.
- Deep infrapatellar bursa: between the tibia and patella tendon.
Blood Supply
- The knee is supplied by anastomoses of:
- Five genicular branches of the popliteal artery (main supply).
- Medial and lateral superior genicular arteries.
- Medial and lateral inferior genicular arteries.
- Middle genicular artery.
Muscles
- Flexion: semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, gracilis, sartorius, gastrocnemius, plantaris, and popliteus.
- Extension: quadriceps femoris, iliotibial tract, gluteus maximus, and tensor fascia latae.
- Internal rotation (when flexed): semimembranosus, semitendinosus, gracilis, and sartorius.
- External rotation (when flexed): biceps femoris.
Medial Patellar Retinaculum
- The medial patellar retinaculum is a tendon of the knee that crosses the knee joint on the medial side of the patella.
- It plays important roles in the formation of the fibrous capsule of the knee and in the extension of the knee joint.
Lower Limb Muscles
- Examples include:
- m.iliopsoas
- m.pectineus
- m.adductor magnus
- m.adductor longus
- m.semitendinosus
- m.gracilis
- m.sartorius
- m.semimembranosus
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