1. Lesson 28
Anatomy of the Knee

2. Aims of the Session
This session will allow candidates to have an understanding of the Anatomy of the Knee

3. Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson the candidate will be able to
Classify and describe the articulations of the knee joint including movements
Be able to identify the bony prominences
Identify the main muscles
Name the ligaments and bursae's of the knee joint

4. Articulations of the Knee joint
What type of joint is the knee
Freely movable or synovial
What type of classification is the knee joint
Hinge between the femur & Tibia
Gliding between the patella & femur (patello-femoral joint)
What are the main movements at the knee
Flexion, Extension, Medial & lateral rotation but only when the knee is bent
Watch Video

5. Bony Prominences of the Knee joint
Superior aspect of the patella
Inferior pole of the patella
Lateral femoral condyles
Joint line
Lateral tibial condyles
Head of fibula
Tibial tuberosity

6. Bony Prominences of the Knee joint
Adductor Tubicle
Medial femoral condyles
Joint line
Medial tibial condyles
Popliteal line
Watch Video

7. Main Ligaments of the Knee joint
What are the purpose of ligaments
Prevent unwanted movement
Only allow wanted movement
Help stabilise the joint
What are the main ligaments of the knee
Anterior/Posterior Cruciate ligaments
Medial & Lateral collateral ligaments
+ Oblique Popliteal ligament at rear of the knee

8. Main Ligaments of the Knee joint
ACL – Front/Diagonally backwards & Up
PCL – Back/Diagonally forward & down both start on medial side of the knee.

9. Main Ligaments of the Knee joint

10. Main Ligaments of the Knee joint
Oblique Popliteal ligament
Watch Video

11. Menisci
Menisci are C-shaped pieces of fibro-cartilage located on the tibial plateau.
They are held by Muscles & Ligaments, but can move due to forces applied through motion.

12. Menisci
They can tear due to sudden articular movements such as a rapid change in direction,
They play an important role for the “screw home mechanism” preventing the knee hyper-extending,
Watch Video

13. Bursae of the Knee Suprapatella Prepatella (housemaids knee)
Infrapatella Superficial (clergyman's knee) Deep
Watch Video

14. Main Knee Region Muscles
Working as a group, see what muscles you can name that
Flex the knee
Extend the knee
Externally rotate the knee (lower leg)
Internally rotate the knee (lower leg)

15. Main Knee Region Muscles Flexion of the knee Biceps Femoris,
Semitendinosus,
Semimembranosus,
Gracilis,
Popliteus,
Gastrocnemius,
Plantaris.

16. Main Knee Region Muscles Extension of the knee Rectus Femoris,
Vastus Lateralis,
Vastus Intermedialis,
Vastus Medialis,
Sartorius.

17. Main Knee Region Muscles External rotation of the knee (lower leg)
Biceps Femoris,

18. Main Knee Region Muscles Internal rotation of the knee (Lower leg)
Semitendinosus,
Semimembranosus,
Gracilis,
Sartorius,
Watch Video

19. Main Knee Region
Muscles
Lets look at
each muscle

20. Main Knee Region Muscles Biceps Femoris (long head), Flexion
O-Ischial Tuberosity
I-Head of Fibula &
Lateral Tibial Condyle

21. Main Knee Region Muscles Biceps Femoris (Short Head),
Flexion, External rotation of
Lower leg
O-Linea Aspera
I-Head of Fibula &
Lateral Tibial Condyle
Watch Video

22. Main Knee Region Muscles Semitendinosus, Flexion, Internal Rotation of
Lower leg
O-Ischial Tuberosity
I- Inferior to medial Tibial
Condyle
Watch Video

23. Main Knee Region Muscles Semimembranosus,
Flexion, Internal Rotation of
Lower leg
O-Ischial Tuberosity
I- Medial Tibial
Condyle
Watch Video

24. Main Knee Region Muscles Gracilis, Flexion, Internal rotation of
Lower leg
O-Anterior inferior aspect of
Pubis symphysis & pubic bone
I-Distal to medial Tibial condyle
Watch Video

25. Main Knee Region Muscles Popliteus, Flexion, Internal rotation of
Lower leg
O-Lateral Femoral condyle
I-Proximal tibia at popliteal line
Watch Video

26. Main Knee Region Muscles Gastrocnemius, Flexion, O-Lateral, Lateral
femoral condyle
O-Medial, Medial condyle of
Femur
I-Posterior surface of Calcaneus
Watch Video

27. Main Knee Region Muscles Plantaris, Flexion O-Lateral linea aspera and
Oblique popliteal ligament
I-Posterior surface of Calcaneus
Watch Video

28. Main Knee Region Muscles Sartorius, Flexion, Internal Rotation, O-ASIS
I-Inferior to condyle of tibia
Watch Video

29. Main Knee Region Muscles Rectus Femoris Extension
O-AIIS, Roughened area above
Acetabulum
I-Patella & Tibial tuberosity
Watch Video

30. Main Knee Region Muscles Vastus Lateralis Extension
O-Greater Trochanter,
Proximal to Lateral lip of
Linea Aspera
I-Lateral Patella & Lateral Tibial
condyle and Rectus Femoris
Tendon Watch Video

31. Main Knee Region Muscles Vastus Medialis Extension
O-Intertrochanteric Line &
Linea Aspera
I-Medial Tibial condyle,
medial Patella &
Rectus Femoris tendon
Watch Video

32. Main Knee Region Muscles Vastus Intermedius Extension
O-Proximal 2/3 of anterior of
Femur
I-Inferior aspect of Patella &
Tendons of Vastus Lateralis
& Medialis
Watch Video