anatomy patella femur and knee joint

linea aspera

- found only on the posterior aspect of the femur -double bony ridge that passes longitudinally down the bone -formed by the convergence of three small ridges -helps form popiteal surface

head of the femur

-caput femoris -WILL ALWAYS BE MEDIAL -upper expanded rounded end that articulates with the acetabulum to form the hip joint (not palpable)

popiteal surface of the femur

-flat and on the dorsal aspect of the lower femur between the divided ridges of the linea aspera

nutrient foramen

-found on the posterior femur

patella

-kneecap -largest sesmoid in the body -palable and has an apex and a base

menisci

-semi lunar cartilage -two half moon shaped discs within the knee joint -act as cushions or shock absorbers to lesson jarring medial cartilage- between medial femoral and medial tibial condyles lateral cartilage- between lateral femoral and lateral tibial condyles -torn during physical exercise

knee joint

-synovial gliding hinge and condylar gliding type joint -allows flexion extension and internal and external rotation

femur

-thigh bone -two femura left and right -longest and strongest bone in the body -extends from the hip joint to the knee joint -curved somewhat anteriorly to endure the weight of the body

femur head

MEDIAL

intercondylar fossa

a deep notch between the posterior parts of the femoral condyles

bipartite patella

a patella that presents as two separate bones sometimes the upper lateral part develops from a seperate ossification that does not unite with the remainder of the bone

fovea capitus

a pit/hole at the head of the femur -small but definite hole at the center of the head -ligament teres attaches

intertrochanteric Crest

a ridge of bone that passes obliquely across the BACK of the upper femur -between the greater and lesser trochanters

intertrochanteric line

a ridge that passes obliquely across the ANTERIOR/FRONT surface of the upper femur -between the greater and lesser trochanters

lateral epicondyle

above lateral condyle

prosthesis

an orthopedic appliance used to mend fractures of the hip made of titanium steel (old) can now withstand MRI used for fractured body parts that are displaced and cannot be casted

inferior portion of the patella

apex

superior portion of the patella

base

body/shaft of femur

cylindrical part becomes broadened as it approaches the knee joint

acetabulum

deep circular cup shaped depression on the lateral surface of the hip bone **femur head articulates**

proximal extremity of femur includes

femoral head neck greater and lesser trochanters intertrochanteric line and crest fovea capitus

patella bone classification

flat bone

patellar ligament

holds the kneecap (patella) in place located between the apex and tibial tuberosity

another name for patella

kneecap

medial epicondyle

large prominence above the medial condyle -much larger than the lateral epicondyle

greater trochanter

large prominence on the lateral surface of the upper femur -thin patients it can be palpated through the skin -upper most border lies in the same transverse plane as the symphysis pubis

where is the patella located in reference to the knee joint

lies anterior to the knee joint

femur bone classification

long bone

apex

lower pointed distal end of the patella (inferior)

distal extremity of femur includes

medial & lateral condyle medial and lateraly epicondyle adducter tubercle intercondylar fossa patellar surface

portion of the femur most fractured by elderly

neck of the femur -connects the head to the rest of the body

posterior surface of the patella articulates to..

patellar ligament

lateral condyle

rounded knob like process that forms the lateral aspect of the distal end of the femur -articulates to the lateral condyle of the tibia to help form the knee joint

medial condyle

rounded knob like process that forms the medial aspect of the distal end of the femur -articulates to medial condyle of the tibia to help form the knee joint

adducter tubercle

small process found on the medial surface of the medial epicondyle (bump)

lesser trochanter

smaller rounded process that extends medially on the femur -cannot be palpated - @ lower level than greater trochanter

patellar surface of the femur

smooth anterior surface of the distal aspect of the femur -between the femoral condyles -forms knee joint

posterior surface of the patella

smooth surface of the patella that glides over the patellar surface of the femur, as the knee is flexed

cruciate ligaments

two bands of fiberous tissue that pass up the posterior aspect of the tibia into the intercondylar fossa -form the letter x (hence cruciate or cross) posterior- PCL anterior- ACL