knee joint

posterior cruciate ligament

Arises from the posterior intercondylar area of the tibia and passes anteriorly to attach to the femur on the lateral side of the medial condyle. PREVENTS FOWARD SLIDING OF THE FIBULA & BACKWARD DISPLACEMENT OF THE TIBIA.

anterior cruciate ligament

Attaches to the anterior part of the tibia, in the intercondylar area. It passes posteriorly to attach to the femur on the medial side of the lateral condyle. PREVENTS ANTERIOR SLIDING OF THE TIBIA

fibular/lateral collateral ligament FCL/LCL

This extracapsular ligament is located on the lateral side of the joint capsule. Halts leg extention and prevents hyperextension. Also prevents the knee from moving laterally.

tibial/medial collateral ligament TCL/MCL

This extracapsular ligaments is located on the medial side of the joint capsule. Halts leg extention and prevents hyperextension. This ligament prevents the leg from moving medially.

joint capsule

dense fibrous connective tissue that encloses joint cavities.

lateral meniscus

evens the distribution of both compressive load and synovial fluid, this meniscus helps to stabilize the joint guiding the condyles during flexion, extension, and rotation movements and preventing side to side rocking. on the lateral side

medial meniscus

evens the distribution of both compressive load and synovial fluid, this meniscus helps to stabilize the joint guiding the condyles during flexion, extension, and rotation movements and preventing side to side rocking. on the medial side

synovial membrane

membrane that lines inside of joint capsule

knee joint

the largest joint in the body, primarily acts as a hinge.

patellar ligament

the ligament is actually a continuation of the quadriceps femoris. physicians tap the patellar ligament to test the knee-jerk reflex.

bursa

fluid-filled sac that allows for easy movement of one part of a joint over another

the articular surfaces of the knee contribute little to the stability of this joint. what additional structural features aid in stabilizing the knee?

the medial and lateral menisci of the knee aid in joint stability , as do the extensive capsular, extracapsular, and instracapsular ligaments, muscle tone in the quadricps and hamstring muscles also contribute to stability of the knee.

what do the cruciate ligaments do?

they act as restraining straps to prevent undesirable movements at the knee joint. ACL:PREVENTS ANTERIOR SLIDING OF THE TIBIA PCL: PREVENTS FOWARD SLIDING OF THE FIBULA & BACKWARD DISPLACEMENT OF THE TIBIA.

synovial Fluid

thick lubricating fluid secreted by fibroblasts in the joint capsule