Week 5
The Knee Joint
The Knee
It is the largest diarthrodial joint and the most complex joint in the body
Consists of various articulations:
1. Medial/Lateral Tibiofemoral Joints – Where tibia meets femur on medial/lateral sides
2. Patellofemoral Joint – Where the patella and femur meet
3. Superior Tibiofibular Joint – Where the Tibia and fibula articulate
Movement occurs in 2 planes:
1. Sagittal Plane – Flexion/Extension
2. Transverse Plane – Internal/External Rotation
Medial and lateral condyles of the Tibia and Femur articulate to form side-by-side condyloid joints
that function together as a modified hinge joint.
Stability depends primarily on ligaments, joint capsule, and muscles rather than bony configuration
Designed to provide stability in locomotion, however it is unstable laterally and medially.
Bones
The medial and lateral tibial condyles (i.e., medial and lateral tibial plateaus) serve as receptacles for
the femoral condyles.
Tibia:
o Is the medial bone in the leg
o Bears most of the weight
Fibula:
o Doesn’t articulate with patella or femur
o Not part of the knee joint
o Serves as an attachment point for important knee joint structures
Patella:
o Is a sesamoid (floating) bone that is contained within the quadriceps muscle group and the
patella tendon.
, o Acts as a pulley by creating improved angle of pull which increases the mechanical advantage
during knee extension.
Key Bony Landmarks of The Knee
Superior/Inferior poles of the Patella
Tibial Tuberosity = Insertion point for the quadriceps group
Gerdy’s Tubercle = Insertion point for the iliotibial tract of the tensor fascia latae
Medial/Lateral Femoral Condyles
Medial/Lateral Malleolus
Upper Anterior Medial Surface of the Tibia = Insertion for the Sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus
Head of the Fibula = Insertion point for the biceps femoris
Q-Angle
The Knee Joint
The Knee
It is the largest diarthrodial joint and the most complex joint in the body
Consists of various articulations:
1. Medial/Lateral Tibiofemoral Joints – Where tibia meets femur on medial/lateral sides
2. Patellofemoral Joint – Where the patella and femur meet
3. Superior Tibiofibular Joint – Where the Tibia and fibula articulate
Movement occurs in 2 planes:
1. Sagittal Plane – Flexion/Extension
2. Transverse Plane – Internal/External Rotation
Medial and lateral condyles of the Tibia and Femur articulate to form side-by-side condyloid joints
that function together as a modified hinge joint.
Stability depends primarily on ligaments, joint capsule, and muscles rather than bony configuration
Designed to provide stability in locomotion, however it is unstable laterally and medially.
Bones
The medial and lateral tibial condyles (i.e., medial and lateral tibial plateaus) serve as receptacles for
the femoral condyles.
Tibia:
o Is the medial bone in the leg
o Bears most of the weight
Fibula:
o Doesn’t articulate with patella or femur
o Not part of the knee joint
o Serves as an attachment point for important knee joint structures
Patella:
o Is a sesamoid (floating) bone that is contained within the quadriceps muscle group and the
patella tendon.
, o Acts as a pulley by creating improved angle of pull which increases the mechanical advantage
during knee extension.
Key Bony Landmarks of The Knee
Superior/Inferior poles of the Patella
Tibial Tuberosity = Insertion point for the quadriceps group
Gerdy’s Tubercle = Insertion point for the iliotibial tract of the tensor fascia latae
Medial/Lateral Femoral Condyles
Medial/Lateral Malleolus
Upper Anterior Medial Surface of the Tibia = Insertion for the Sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus
Head of the Fibula = Insertion point for the biceps femoris
Q-Angle
