THE KNEE: Muscles, Bones, Tendons and Ligaments
ORIGIN: Posterior Collateral Ligament (PCL)
anterolateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle
Greater Trochanter
attachment site for the gluteus medius and minimus, piriformis
Lesser Trochanter
attachment site for the psoas major and iliacus muscles
Neck of the femur
connects the femoral head with the femoral shaft
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)
connects the femur to the fibula (VERY hard to tear)
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)
connects the top of the tibia to the bottom of the femur (prevents the leg from overextending inwards)
ACL
contributes significantly to the stabilization of the knee joint
Lateral Horn of the Meniscus
covers larger portion of surface
PCL
crosses in the back of the knee
Motions of the knee
flexion and extension
ORIGIN: Anterior Collateral Ligament (ACL)
lateral femoral condyle
Patellar Surface of the femur
the groove formed anteriorly (accommodates the patella)
Femur bone
thigh bone (longest bone in body)
Patella (knee cap)
flat, circular triangular bone which articulates with the femur (has cartilage on the posterior side)
Medial Condyle of the femur
larger than the lateral condyle due to more weight-bearing there
Lateral Condyle of the femur
lateral side of the knee
Shaft of the femur
long part of the femur bone
Medial Condyle of the Tibia
medial portion of the upper extremity of the tibia (insertion for the semimembranosus muscle)
Tibial Tuberosity
oblong elevation on the proximal anterior aspect of the tibia
INSERTION: Anterior Collateral Ligament (ACL)
onto the tibial plateau
INSERTION: Posterior Collateral Ligament (PCL)
posterior aspect of the tibial plateau
Fibula Head
provides the point of attachment for several muscles and ligaments (including biceps femoris and LCL)
Meniscus
refers to a crescent shaped structure
What are bony landmarks?
sites where ligaments, tendons or muscles attach (ridges in the bone)
Head of femur
sits inside the hip bone
