Describes briefly on anatomy of knee joint.

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Anatomy of the Knee Joint

2. Anatomy of the Knee Joint
Largest and most
superficial
Hinge type of
synovial joint
Flexion and
extension
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3. Articulations, Articular Surfaces
and Stability
3 articulations:
Femorotibial articulations (lateral and medial)
Femoropatellar articulation
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Femorotibial
Femoropatellar

4. Articular surfaces
2 femoral condyles
the adjacent surfaces of the
superior aspect of the tibial
condyles
anterior surface of the distal end
of the femur where the two
condyles join
adjacent surfaces on the
posterior aspect of the patella
Stability
Quadriceps femoris - Inferior
fibres of vastus medialis and
lateralis
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5. Joint Capsule
Fibrous capsule
It covers the joint on
the lateral, medial and
posterior aspect
Synovial membrane
Lines the inner
surface of capsule
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6. Extracapsular Ligaments
Patellar ligament
Medial collateral ligament
Lateral collateral ligament
Oblique popliteal ligament
Arcuate popliteal ligament
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8. Intra-articular Ligaments
Cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
Posterior cruciate ligament
Menisci
Medial meniscus
Lateral meniscus
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9. Movements
Flexion – Hamstrings, short head of biceps,
gracilis, sartorius, gastrocnemius, popliteus
Extension – Quadriceps femoris
Medial rotation – Semitendinosus,
semimembranosus, long head of biceps when
FLEXED ;popliteus when non-bearing knee is
EXTENDED
Lateral rotation – Biceps femoris when knee is
FLEXED
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10. Locking and Unlocking
Locking is a mechanism that allows the knee to
remain in the position of full extension
Locking occurs as a result of medial rotation of
femur during last stage of extension
Locking is produced by quadriceps femoris
Unlocking occurs as a result of lateral rotation of
femur during initial stage of flexion
Unlocking is produced by popliteus muscle
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12. Blood Supply
10 vessels that form
the periarticular
genicular anastomoses
around the knee
Innervation
Articular branches
from femoral, tibial, and
common fibular nerves
Obturator and
saphenous nerves
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13. Bursae
Suprapatellar
Popliteus
Anserine
Gastrocnemius
Semimembranosus
Subcutaneous prepatellar
Subcutaneous infrapatellar
Deep infrapatellar
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