M3B- Knee and Femur

Knee Joint

Largest synovial in the body, it is a synovial bicondylar joint, allowing for hinged joint movement extension and flexion with slight medial and lateral rotation

Patella

Largest sesamoid bone in the body

Menisci

The lateral meniscus is situated between the lateral femoral condyle and lateral tibial condyle. Likewise, the medial meniscus is situated between the medial femoral condyle and medial tibial condyle

Bursae

The knee joint contains 7, they are sac-like structures lined and filled with synovial fluid

Fabella

Sesamoid bones that are located behind the lateral femoral condyle, in the gastrocnemius muscle

Femur

The longest and strongest bone in the body. It articulates proximally with the acetabulum of the pelvis at the hip joint and distally with the tibia at the knee joint

Proximal Femur

Directed proximally, medially and anteriorly. It articulates with the cartilage lined acetabulum of the pelvis

Head of Femur

It is covered with articular cartilage and synovial membrane and has a small depression for attachment of the ligament of the head of the femur (ligamentum teres), referred to as the fovea

Neck of Femur

5cm long and is common site for hip fractures. It runs obliquely from the head of the femur to the shaft at 15-20 degrees posterior and lateral from the midcoronal plane

Angle of Inclination

The neck joins the shaft at an angle of approximately 125 degrees

Greater Trochanter

Situated on the lateral aspect of the femur and is easily palpable. It is the attachment site for several muscles in the gluteal region, including gluteus, piriformis, obturator and gemellus muscles

Lesser Trochanter

Situated medial and slightly posterior. It is the attachment site for the psoas muscle from the lumbar spine

Intertrochanteric Line

The trochanters are connected anteriorly by this

Intertrochanteric Crest

The trochanters are connected posteriorly by this

Femoral Condyles

These condyles are rounded and smooth to articulate inferiorly with the lateral and medial tibial condyles, respectively, and the patella anteriorly

Femoral Epicondyles

Bony elevations that sit on the superior and lateral edges of the articular condyles. They act as attachment points for ligaments of the knee

Intercondylar Notch (Fossa)

Separates the medial and lateral condyles posteriorly. It is an attachment point for ligaments of the knee and is also a common site for knee pathologies