Lab 5
Anatomy of the Knee
The tibia is connected to the patella by the patellar tendon. Recall tendons are the dense
regular connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. The patellar tendon is technically a
ligament because it connects 2 bones together. The knee joint is the articulation of the femur and
tibia. The lateral and medial condyles of the tibia articulate with the lateral and medial condyles
of the femur. Observe the model of the knee joint and identify the 4 ligaments in the knee. The
cruciate ligaments are located centrally, connecting the tibia and the femur. They stabilize the
knee against forces in the anterior and posterior direction. The collateral ligaments are located on
the medial and lateral sides of the knee. These ligaments prevent the knee from buckling in and
outward. Identify the crescent-shaped fibrocartilage meniscus, which is designed to both disperse
forces between the bones and guide articular movement.
Knee anatomy.
Clinical application: The unhappy triad is a common medical term used to describe an injury to
specific anatomical structures of the knee. The 3 anatomical structures that are injured include
the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and medial meniscus. This
type of injury is not typically the result of a direct blow to the knee. It often occurs while an athlete
is running and tries to make a quick turn. This nonimpact injury is the result of excessive
rotational stress on the knee.
Key Muscles of the thigh with Nerve Innervation
iliacus
sartorius
pectineus
rectus femoris(quad)
vastus lateralis(quad)
vastus medialis(quad)
vastus intermedius(quad)
biceps femoris (long head)
biceps femoris (short head)
semitendinosus
semimembranosus
femoral L2,3
femoral L2,3
femoral L2-4
femoral L2-4
femoral L2-4
femoral L2-4
femoral L2-4
tibial part of sciatic(S1-3)
common peroneal part of sciatic L5, S1,2)
tibial part of sciatic (L5, S1,2)
tibial part of sciatic (L5, S1,2)
The Knee
• 2.2.1 Bony features of the knee joint (3:12)
• 2.2.2 Cartilages and cruciate ligaments of the knee joint (3:48)
• 2.2.3 Collateral ligaments of the knee joint; patellar tendon,
quadriceps bursa, joint capsule (3:49)
• 2.2.4 Review of bones and ligaments of the knee joint (1:37)
• 2.1.9 Hip flexor muscles (3:32)
• 2.1.10 Hip extensor muscles (4:54)
• 2.1.11 Review of hip muscles (1:15)
• 2.2.5 Knee extensor muscles, adductor canal (5:24)
• 2.2.6 Knee flexor muscles (2:21)
• 2.2.7 Gastrocnemius, plantaris, popliteus muscles (1:37)
• 2.2.8 Review of knee muscles (0:44)
• 2.2.10 Nerves of the knee region (2:25)
2.2.11 Review of blood vessels and nerves of the knee region (0:55)
1. Name 2 anatomical differences between the medial and lateral
collateral ligaments
2. Which kind of forces do the collateral ligaments prevent?
3. What muscles forms the adductor canal? Which structures run through
it?
4. Name the 2 divisions of the sciatic nerve and describe the course the
nerves run.
5. A proximal fibular head injury might result in what functional deficits?
Femur:








Head
Neck
Greater and lesser trochanter
Linea aspera
Medial and lateral condyles
Intercodylar notch
Medial and lateral epicondyles
Adductor tubercle






Anterior surface
Articular surface: Facets
Ligaments:
Medial (tibial) lateral (Fibular) collateral ligaments
Anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments
Medial and lateral meniscus




Medial and lateral condyles:
Tibial interarticular area
Tibial tuberosity:
Gerdy's tubercle
Patella:
Tibia:

Medial malleolus:



Head
Neck
Lateral malleolus
Fibula:
1. Rectus femoris(quad)
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
2. Vastus lateralis(quad)
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
3. Vastus medialis (quad)
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
4. Vastus intermedius (quad)
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
5. Biceps femoris (long head)
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
6. Biceps femoris (short head)
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
7. Semitendinosus
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
8. Semimembranosus
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
10. Sartorius
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action: