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Kinesiology for Manual Therapies
Chapter 17
The Knee Joint
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Learning Outcomes
17-1 Define key terms.
o 17-2 Identify on a human skeleton
selected bony features of the knee
joint.
o 17-3 Describe the cartilaginous and
ligamentous structures of the knee
joint.
o
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Learning Outcomes (cont.)
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17-4 Draw and label on a skeletal
chart the muscles, including origins
and insertions, and ligaments of the
knee joint.
17-5 Palpate the superficial knee
joint structures and muscles,
including origins and insertions, on
a partner.
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17-4
Learning Outcomes (cont.)
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17-6 Demonstrate all the active and
passive movements of the knee
joint with a partner.
17-7 Name and explain the actions
and importance of the quadriceps
and hamstring muscles.
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Learning Outcomes (cont.)
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17-8 List and organize the muscles
that produce the movements of the
knee joint and list their antagonists.
17-9 Practice flexibility and
strengthening exercises for each
muscle group.
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Introduction
The knee joint affects posture through the
position of the hip joint.
 The knee joint is vulnerable to injuries.
 The bone’s structure is designed to
provide mobility and weight bearing.

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Bones
The tops of the medial and lateral tibial
condyles are known as the medial and
lateral tibial plateaus.
 The tibia bears most of the body’s
weight in the knee joint.
 The fibula serves for an attachment site
for muscles and ligaments.

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Bones (cont.)
The patella is a sesamoid bone.
 Key bony landmarks include the tibial
tuberosity, Gerdy’s tubercle, the medial
and lateral femoral condyles, and the
medial tibial condyle.

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Bones (cont.)
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Bones (cont.)
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Joints
The knee joint is the tibiofemoral joint
and is classified as a ginglymus joint
because it acts like a hinge performing
flexion and extension.
 Ligaments provide stability for the knee
joint and the medial and lateral menisci
(cartilage) cushion the joint.

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Joints (cont.)
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Ligaments of the Knee Joint
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
are named because they cross within the
knee between the tibia and femur.
 The ACL is often injured.
 The medial knee has the tibial medial
collateral ligament (MCL)

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Ligaments of the Knee Joint (cont.)
The lateral side of the knee the fibular
collateral ligament (LCL) joins the fibula
to the femur.
 A plica is an anatomical variant among
some individuals that may be irritated or
inflamed with injuries or overuse of the
knee. There are over 10 bursae in the knee.

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Movements
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Movements (cont.)
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Movements (cont.)
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Muscles
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Muscles (cont.)
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Muscles (cont.)
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Muscles (cont.)
Q Angle
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Nerves
The femoral nerve innervates the knee
extensors.
 The knee flexors are innervated by the
tibial division of the sciatic nerve. The
biceps femoris short head is supplied by
the peroneal nerve.

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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint –
Anterior - Quadriceps
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The quadriceps consist of the rectus
femoris, the vastus lateralis, vastus
intermedius, and the vastus medialis.
 They all attach to the patella by the
patellar tendon to the tuberosity of the
tibia.

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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint
(cont.) – Anterior – Rectus Femoris
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint
(cont.) – Anterior – Rectus Femoris
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint
(cont.) – Anterior – Vastus Lateralis
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint
(cont.) – Anterior – Vastus Lateralis
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint
(cont.) – Anterior – Vastus Intermedius
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint
(cont.) – Anterior – Vastus Intermedius
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint
(cont.) – Anterior – Vastus Medialis
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint
(cont.) – Anterior – Vastus Medialis
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint –
Posterior – Hamstrings
Semitendinosus
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint (cont.) –
Posterior – Hamstrings
Semitendinosus
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint (cont.) –
Posterior – Hamstrings
Semimembranosus
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint (cont.) –
Posterior – Hamstrings
Semimembranosus
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint (cont.) –
Posterior – Hamstrings
Biceps Femoris
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint (cont.) –
Posterior – Hamstrings
Biceps Femoris
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint (cont.) –
Posterior Popliteus
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Individual Muscles of the Knee Joint (cont.) –
Posterior Popliteus
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Chapter Summary
The bones, joints, ligaments,
movements, muscles, and nerves of the
knee joint are explored in this chapter.

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Chapter Summary (cont.)
Individual muscles of the knee joint are
reviewed in depth with regard to palpation,
origin, insertion, action, and innervation.
 Each muscle includes information with
clinical notes, muscle specifics, clinical
flexibility and strengthening.

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Chapter Review
The Chapter Review is divided into true
and false, short answers, and multiple
choice questions.
 The questions are designed for the
students to test their knowledge.
 Worksheets are at the end of the text as
an aid for learning.

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Explore and Practice
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Students should utilize the questions and
charts at the end of the chapter to help
focus on the content of the chapter.
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