Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter

Function as "shock absorbers"

Transverse ligament of knee joins anterior surfaces of menisci

Medial meniscus

C-shaped

Adherent to tibial collateral ligament

Lateral meniscus

O-shaped

Joined to posterior cruciate ligament and medial femoral condyle by posterior meniscofemoral ligament

Ligaments of the Knee Joint

Ligament Attachments Function

Extracapsular Ligaments

Patellar Patella → tibial tuberosity Continuation of quadriceps tendon

Tibial collateral Medial femoral epicondyle → medial tibial condyle

(and meniscus)

Limits extension

Limits abduction

Fibular collateral Lateral femoral epicondyle → fibular head Limits extension

Limits adduction

Arcuate popliteal Fibular head → capsule Limits medial rotation

Oblique popliteal Lateral femur → posterior tibia Limits hyperextension

Intracapsular Ligaments

Anterior cruciate

(extrasynovial)

Lateral femoral condyle → anterior intercondylar

tibia

Prevents posterior slipping of femur on tibia (Torn in

hyperextension)

Posterior cruciate

(extrasynovial)

Medial femoral condyle → posterior intercondylar

tibia

Prevents anterior slipping of femur on tibia

Transverse Anterior edges of menisci Stabilizes menisci

Posterior

meniscofemoral

Posterior of lateral meniscus → medial femoral

condyle

Stabilizes lateral meniscus

Bursae Around the Knee Joint

Many (12+) bursae surround the knee

Facilitate movement of the tendons and skin over the joint during flexion or extension

Needed because most tendons pull vertically across joint

Four bursae communicate with the synovial cavity of the knee

Suprapatellar

Popliteus

Anserine

Gastrocnemius bursae

Suprapatellar bursa

Particularly vulnerable to infection following penetrating trauma

Allows spread of infection directly into the knee joint

Main Bursae of the Knee

Bursa Location

Suprapatellar Between femur and quadriceps tendon

Popliteus Between lateral tibial condyle and popliteus tendon

Anserine Between tibial collateral ligament and tendons of sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus

Gastrocnemius Deep to proximal attachment of medial gastrocnemius head

Semimembranosus Deep to tendon of semimembranosus

Semitendinosus Deep to heads of gastrocnemius muscles

Prepatellar Between skin and anterior surface of patella

Subcutaneous infrapatellar Between skin and tibial tuberosity

Deep infrapatellar Between tibia and patellar ligament

Popliteal Fossa
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Boundaries

Superomedially: semitendinosus and semimembranosus

Superolaterally: biceps femoris

Inferomedially and laterally: medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius

Floor: popliteal surface of femur, oblique popliteal ligament, fascia over popliteus muscle

Roof: skin and fascia

Contents

Small saphenous vein

Popliteal artery and veins (deeper than the nerves)

Tibial nerve and common fibular nerve (from the sciatic)

Posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh

Lymphatic vessels and nodes

Order of structures (lateral to medial): tibial nerve, vein, artery