The Knee Joint

The Knee Joint

Is the largest synovial joint in the body

The Knee Joint

Found at the junction of the thigh and the leg

The Knee Joint

Consists of 3 distinct articulationsto form a complex hinge joint

The Knee Joint

Consists of 3 distinct articulationsto form a complex hinge joint

•Medial Tibiofemoral joint

•Patellofemoral joint

The Knee Joint

Consists of 3 distinct articulationsto form a complex hinge joint

The Knee Joint

Anterior View

The Knee Joint

Anterior View

Femur

The Knee Joint

Anterior View

Fibula

The Knee Joint

Anterior View

Tibia

The Knee Joint

Anterior View

Patella

The Knee Joint

Lateral View

The Knee Joint

Lateral View

Femur

The Knee Joint

Lateral View

Tibia

The Knee Joint

Lateral View

Fibula

The Knee Joint

Lateral View

Patella

The Knee Joint

Medial View

The Knee Joint

Medial View

Patella

The Knee Joint

Medial View

Femur

The Knee Joint

Medial View

Tibia

Ligaments of the Knee Joint

The knee joint is stablised on either side by collateral

ligaments

Medial view

Medial Collateral Ligament

Medial view

Arises from the medial epicondyle of the Femur

Wide insertion onto the proximal aspect of the medial Tibia

Medial Collateral Ligament

Medial view

Resists forces that push the knee medially

Lateral Collateral Ligament

Lateral view

Arises from the Lateral Epicondyle of the Femur

Cord-like structure that inserts anterior to the Apex of the Fibular head

Lateral Collateral Ligament

Lateral view

Stabilises the lateral side of the knee

Cruciate Ligaments

Anterior view with the Knee Joint flexed

Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Arises from the anterior aspect of the Intercondylar

area of the Tibia

Inserts onto the medial aspect of the

Lateral Femoral Condyle

Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Stabilises the Knee by preventing forward

movement of the Tibia relative to the Femur

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

Posterior View

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

Posterior View

Attaches to the lateral aspect of the Medial Femoral Condyle and

the Intercondylar Notch

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

Posterior View

Attaches to the lateral aspect of the Medial Femoral Condyle and

the Intercondylar Notch

Distal part of the Ligament attaches to the posterior aspect of the

intercondylar Region of the Tibia and the adjacent posterior Tibia

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

Posterior View

Prevents backward movement of the

Tibia relative to the Femur

Oblique Popliteal Ligament

Oblique Popliteal Ligament

Arises as an extension from the lateral side of semimembranosustendon

Attaches to medial aspect ofLateral Femoral Condyle

Oblique Popliteal Ligament

Blends with posterior joint capsule

Forms part of floor of the popliteal fossa

Function: primary stabiliser of the Posterolateral Knee

Arcuate Popliteal Ligament

Fibres blend with the joint capsule and run from Lateral Femoral Condyle and adjacent intercondylar area of posterior Tibia

to

Head of the Fibula

Arcuate Popliteal Ligament

Stabilises posterior aspect of the Knee

Patellar Ligament(Patellar Tendon)

Attaches the lower pole of Patella to the

Tibial Tuberosity

It is the continuation of the tendon of

Quadriceps Femoris

Patellar Ligament(Patellar Tendon)

Attaches the Patella to the Tibia

It is the continuation of the tendon of

Quadriceps Femoris

Muscles and Tendons around the Knee Joint

SartoriusGracilis

Semitendinosus

Means ‘Goose’s Foot’Comprises 3 conjoined

tendons

Pes Anserinus

Medial view

Semimembranosus

Divides into a series of slips at the level of the knee and has a complex attachment

Most fibres attach to the posterior aspect of the Medial Tibial Condyle

Some fibres form a strong expansion and pass obliquely upwards to the Lateral Femoral Condyle to form the oblique

Popliteal Ligament

Posterior view

Biceps Femoris

The Long and Short Heads unite to form a tendon that inserts onto the

head of the Fibula

Posterior view

long head

short head

Iliotibial Tract

Attaches to Gerdy’s Tubercle

on the anterior aspect of theLateral Tibial Condyle

Tensor Fasciae Latae

Gerdy’s Tubercle

Proximally it receives two muscles•Tensor Fasciae Latae•Gluteus Maximus

Iliotibial Tract

Anterior view

Quadriceps Femoris

Patella

Patellar Ligament

Quadriceps Femoris comprises 4 muscles•Rectus Femoris•Vastus Lateralis•Vastus Intermedius•Vastus Medialis

Extends and stabilises the knee during gait

Anterior view

Menisci

2 crescent-shaped intra-articular fibrocartilaginous structures situated one on each Tibial Facet

Superior view of proximal right tibia

Medial Meniscus

Lateral Meniscus

anterior

posterior

Menisci

Menisci Each Meniscus has an anterior and posterior horn through which the Meniscus gains attachment to the tibial plateau

Medial Meniscus

Lateral Meniscus

Anterior horns

Posterior horns

Superior view of proximal right tibia

Menisci are wedge-shaped in cross-section

The Menisci widen and deepen the

Tibial articular surface that receives the Femoral Condyles