Anatomy of the knee joint

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Anatomy of the Knee Joint

Figure 1. External Ligaments of the Knee A. Anterior (Left) B. Posterior (Right)
Figure 2. Internal Ligaments of the Knee A. Anterior (Left) B. Superior (Middle) C. Posterior (Right)
Figure 3. Communicating Bursae A. Anterior (Left) B. Posterior (Right)
Figure 5. Non Communicating Bursae A. Sagittal
Figure 5. Blood Supply of the Knee Joint A. Anterior (Left) B. Posterior (Right)
Figure 6. Nerves Supply the Knee Joint A. Anterior (Left) B. Posterior (Right)
LIGAMENTS TABLE
Ligaments
Origin
Insertion
External Ligaments
Patellar Ligament
  • Distal Quadriceps Tendon
  • Medial & Lateral Patellar Retinacula
Medial Collateral Ligament
  • Medial Epicondyle of Femur
  • Medial Epicondyle of Tibia
  • Medial Meniscus at Midpoint
Lateral Collateral Ligament
  • Lateral Epicondyle of Femur
  • Lateral Surface of Fibular Head
Anterolateral Ligament
  • Lateral Epicondyle of Femur
  • Lateral Tibia
  • Lateral Meniscus at Midpoint
Oblique Popliteal Ligament
  • Expansion of Semimembranosus
  • Medial Tibial Condyle
  • Central Part of the Posterior Aspect of Joint Capsule
Arcuate Popliteal Ligament
  • Posterior Aspect of Fibular Head
  • Posterior Surface of Knee Joint
Internal Ligaments
Anterior Collateral Ligament
  • Anterior Intercondylar Area of the Tibia
  • Posterior Part of the Medial Side of the Lateral Condyle of the Femur
Posterior Collateral Ligament
  • Posterior Intercondylar Area of the Tibia
  • Anterior Part of the Lateral Surface of the Medial Condyle of the Femur
Medial Meniscus
  • Anterior Intercondylar Area of the Tibia
  • Posterior Intercondylar Area of the Tibia
  • Deep Surface of Medial Collateral Ligament
Lateral Meniscus
  • Anterior Intercondylar Area of the Tibia
  • Posterior Intercondylar Area of the Tibia
  • Popliteus Tendon
Transverse Ligament of the Knee
  • Anterior Edge of Menisci
  • Anterior Edge of Menisci
UNLABELED DIAGRAMS

Questions

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The fibular nerve is indicated in the image below.  

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The knee joint is a large hinge type of synovial joint, allowing flexion and extension of the lower limb.

The knee joint has three main articular areas: the lateral and medial femorotibial articulations between the lateral and the medial condyles of the femur and tibia, as well as the intermediate femoropatellar articulation between the patella and the femur. Notice that the fibula does not participate in the knee joint!

Ok, now, the articular surfaces of the knee joint are the medial and lateral femoral condyles; the patellar surface of the femur between these two condyles; the articular surface of the patella, which is a plateau with a anteroposterior ridge that fits into the patellar surface known as the trochlear groove; and the articular surfaces of medial and lateral condyles of the tibia, on which the condyles of the femur roll.

Because the knee joint articular surfaces are irregularly shaped and incongruent, knee joint stability heavily relies on tibiofemoral ligaments, and the strength of the surrounding muscles such as the quadriceps.

Now, the knee joint is surrounded by a joint capsule, which has an external fibrous capsule and an internal synovial membrane.

Superiorly, the fibrous capsule attaches to the femur, just proximal to the articular margins of the condyles.

Posteriorly, the fibrous layer encloses the condyles and the intercondylar fossa, and has an opening for the tendon of the popliteus.

Inferiorly, the fibrous layer attaches to the margin of the tibial plateau, except where the tendon of the popliteus crosses the bone.

The quadriceps tendon, patella, and patellar ligament replace the fibrous layer anteriorly, and the fibrous capsule is continuous with the medial and lateral margins of these anterior structures.

Then, the extensive synovial membrane lines all surfaces bounding the articular cavity not covered by articular cartilage, so it can be found attaching to the periphery of the articular cartilage covering both the femoral and tibial condyles, the posterior surface of the patella, and edges of the menisci.

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