Knee Joint

The knee joint is called a trochoginglymus joint because of the internal and external rotation movements that can occur during flexion.

True

the three vasti muscles of the quadriceps originate on the proximal femur and insert along with the rectus femoris on the superior pole of the patella.

True

A _____ is an anatomical variant among some individuals that may be irritated or inflamed with injuries or overuse of the knee.

plica

The _____ muscle can be palpated slightly distal to the greater trochanter down the anterolateral aspect of the thigh to the superolateral patella.

vastus lateralis

Where can the vastus medialis muscle be palpated?

Anterior medial side of the thigh just above the superomedial patella

Identify a function of the vastus medialis muscle.

Extension of the knee

Identify an action performed by the vastus intermedius.

Extension of the knee

Identify an action performed by the vastus lateralis muscle.

Extension of the knee

The vastus medialis destabilizes the patellofemoral stability because its distal fibers are detached from the superior medial patella.

False

The knee joint is the smallest diarthrodial joint in the body.

False: It is the largest diarthrodial joint in the body

The angle formed at the patella by the intersection of the central line of pull for the entire quadriceps and the line of pull of the patellar tendon is referred to as the

Q angle

What is the point of insertion of the popliteus muscle?

The upper posteromedial surface of the tibia

What is the point of insertion of the vastus intermedius muscle?

Upper border of the patella and patellar tendon to the tibial tuberosity

Two very important ligaments of the knee are the _____.

anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments

The pes anserinus attaches to the _____.

anteromedial aspect of the proximal tibia below the level of the tibial tuberosity

The vastus intermedius muscle, along with the other vasti muscles, is primarily responsible for extending the knee while the hip is _____.

being flexed

The flexibility of the hamstrings can be improved by _____.

flexing the hip slowly while maintaining knee extension in a long sitting position

The vastus medialis can be stretched by _____.

full knee flexion

The knee joint proper, or tibiofemoral joint, is classified as a _____ joint.

ginglymus

The tibiofemoral joint is classified as a _______ joint because its movement during flexion and extension.

ginglymus; hinge joint

The _____ muscle group is located in the posterior compartment of the thigh and is responsible for knee flexion.

hamstring

The knee joint is primarily a _____ joint.

hinge

Flexion and extension of the knee occur in the sagittal plane, whereas internal and external rotations occur in the _____.

horizontal plane

The vastus lateralis muscle, along with the other vasti muscles, functions with the rectus femoris in _____.

knee extension

The vastus lateralis is strengthened through _____.

knee extension activities against resistance

The hamstrings are primarily _____ in addition to serving as hip extensors.

knee flexors

Identify the muscles in the hamstring muscle group.

semimembranosus biceps femoris semitendinosus

The quadriceps muscles attach to the patella and by the patellar tendon to the tuberosity of the _____.

tibia

is the medial bone in the leg and bears much more of the body's weight than the fibula

tibia

The sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus all join together distally to form a tendinous expansion known as the _____.

pes anserinus

The _____ muscle can be palpated deep to the gastrocnemius medially on the posterior proximal tibia and proceed superolaterally toward lateral epicondyle of tibia just deep to fibular collateral ligament.

popliteus

The muscle group that extends the knee is located in the anterior compartment of the thigh and is known as the _____.

quadriceps

Identify the muscles in the quadriceps group.

Rectus femoris vastus medialis Vastus lateralis Vastus intermedius

Identify an exercise that strengthens the quadriceps muscles.

Step-ups

Identify the point of origin of the rectus femoris muscle.

The anterior inferior iliac spine of the ilium and the groove (posterior) above the acetabulum

The _____ serves as the attachment for some very important knee joint structures, but it is not part of the knee joint articulation.

Fibula

Which of the following muscles is the only true flexor of the leg at the knee?

The popliteus muscle

The vastus intermedius muscle is used in _____.

running, jumping, hopping, skipping, and walking

The upper anteromedial surface of the tibia just below the medial condyle serves as the insertion for the sartorius, gracilis, and _____.

semitendinosus