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