Knee Anatomy and Injuries Quiz

Knee Anatomy and Injuries: A Detailed Overview

• "Gray’s Surface Anatomy and Ultrasound" provides a detailed overview of knee anatomy and injuries
• The knee joint is the largest synovial joint and is a hinge joint between the femur and tibia
• The knee joint has V-shaped articular surfaces covered with hyaline cartilage, and menisci provide stability and cushioning
• There are 12 bursae around the knee joint, which can become inflamed (bursitis) due to repeated frictional forces
• The fibrous capsule of the knee joint is extensive and reinforced by tendons of surrounding muscles
• The knee joint has extracapsular (tibial and fibular collateral) and intracapsular (anterior and posterior cruciate) ligaments
• Injuries to the knee joint can include ruptures of the anterior or posterior cruciate ligaments, collateral ligament injuries, and meniscal injuries
• Testing for ligamentous injuries includes the anterior and posterior drawer tests
• Knee movements involve flexion (hamstring muscles) and extension (quadriceps femoris)
• The knee joint can lock into position, reducing muscle work needed to maintain the standing position, through changes in shape and size of femoral surfaces and medial rotation of the femur on the tibia
• Cruciate ligament injuries are more common than PCL injuries and can be tested using the anterior drawer or Lachman test
• The hamstring muscles and gastrocnemius are involved in knee flexion, while the quadriceps femoris is involved in knee extension

Knee Anatomy and Function Overview

• The popliteus muscle unlocks the knee by initiating lateral rotation of the femur on the tibia
• Arterial supply to the knee includes five genicular arteries from the popliteal artery
• Nerve supply to the knee includes the femoral, tibial, and common peroneal nerves
• The knee is divided into the anterior, lateral, and posterior compartments, each with specific nerve and artery supply
• Various muscles in the leg compartments are responsible for different movements such as dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion of the foot
• The lateral compartment of the leg includes the fibularis longus and brevis muscles, responsible for eversion and plantarflexion of the foot
• The anterior compartment of the leg includes muscles responsible for dorsiflexion and extension of the foot, such as the extensor digitorum longus and tibialis anterior
• The posterior compartment of the leg includes the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles, responsible for plantarflexion of the foot and flexion of the knee
• The arrangement of tendons in the tarsal tunnel includes the flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, and tibialis posterior
• The popliteal artery is the major blood supply to the leg and foot, branching into anterior tibial, posterior tibial, and fibular arteries
• Several nerves innervate the leg and foot, including the common fibular, posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh, saphenous, sural, and medial calcaneal branches
• The knee anatomy and function are complex, involving a network of arteries, nerves, and muscles to facilitate various movements and provide blood supply