LE Thigh and Knee

Where is the thigh located?

Greater trochanter (superior)

Patella (inferior)

The superficial fascia is also known as the:

subcutaneous fascia

What are the contents of the superficial fascia?

Loose CT

Fat

Vessels (blood and lymph)

Nerves

The superficial fascia will split in 2 areas, which will sandwich what structures inside?

Vessels and nerves

What is the longest vein in the body?

Great saphenous vein

The great saphenous vein runs anterior to what structure?

medial malleolus

the great saphenous vein runs inferior to what vein?

femoral vein

The small saphenous vein is superior to what structure?

posterior to lateral malleolus

the small saphenous vein is inferior to what structure?

popliteal vein

What are the 3 cutaneous nerves of the thigh?

Ilioinguinal

Genitofemoral

Lateral cutaneous

The deep fascia is known as the:

Fascia lafa

What are the 3 functions of the deep fascia?

Separate muscles

Prevents bulging of thigh muscles

increases venous return

Where is the iliotibial tract located?

Lateral thigh

What is the iliotibial tract?

Thickening of fascial fibers in deep fascia

The iliotibial tract is also known as the:

T-band

the iliotibial tract spans from what two structures?

tubercle of femur to lateral condyle of tibia

what structures reinforce the iliotibial tract?

Tensor fasciae latae

gluteus maximus muscles

The saphenous opening is also known as the:

Fossa ovalis

What is the function of the saphenous opening?

Creates a gap in the fascia

The saphenous opening gives passage for what 2 structures?

Great saphenous vein

lymph nodes and vessels

What are the 3 groups of muscles within the thigh?

Anterior

Medial

Posterior

the anterior group of muscles in the thigh are innervated by what nerve?

Femoral nerve

What are the two exceptions of the anterior group of the thigh that are not innervated by the femoral nerve?

Psoas major

tensor fascia lata

The medial group of the thigh muscles are innervated by what nerve?

Obturator nerve

What is the action of the anterior thigh muscle group?

Extend the knee

What is the action of the medial thigh muscle group?

adduction of hip

What is the action of the posterior thigh muscle group?

Flex the knee

What nerve innervates the posterior thigh muscle group?

tibial nerve (off sciatic nerve)

The three muscle compartments of the thigh muscles are separated by what?

Intermuscular septa

What muscles are within the anterior group of thigh muscles?

Sartorius

Articular Genus

Quadriceps femoris

Rectus femoris

Vastus lateralis/medialis/intermedius

what muscles are within the medial group of thigh muscles?

Medial femoral group (Gracilis, pectineus)

Adductor group (Adductor longus/brevis/magnus)

What muscles are within the posterior group of muscles?

Hamstring group (semimembranosus, semitendinosus, Biceps femoris)

What structure is known as the ‘gooses foot’ and is 3 conjoined tendons at the anteromedial tibia?

Pes Anserinus

What movements are allowed by the knee?

Flexion

Extension

Some rotation

What joint is the knee considered?

Hinge, synovial joint

What are the articulations of the knee?

Femur

Tibia

Patella

Joint stability of the knee is dependent on what?

Ligaments

strength of muscles and tendons

What is the articular capsule?

a large protective sac that surrounds the knee, made out of an outer fibrous membrane and an inner synovial membrane

Where is the articular capsule located?

superior to patella

the patellar ligament is also known as the:

Patellar tendon

What are the 4 extracapsular ligaments?

Patellar ligament

Lateral/Fibular collateral ligament (LCL)

Medial/Tibial collateral ligament (MCL)

Transverse ligament of the knee

The lateral/fibular collateral ligament is:

strong, cord-like

The medial/tibial collateral ligament is:

fat that is attached to the medial maniscus

Where is the cruciate ligament located?

within the articular capsule

What are the 2 cruciate ligaments?

anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

If the knee is at a right angle, what does the ACL do?

Stop anterior movement of the tibia

How is the ACL attached to the tibia and femur?

Anteriorly to tibia and passes posterosuperiorly to attach to the medial side of the lateral condyle of femur

If the knee is flexed, what does the PCL do?

Stop posterior movement of tibia

How is the PCL attached to the tibia and femur?

posteriorly to tibia and passes anterosuperiorly to attach to the lateral side of the medial condyle of the femur

What intra-articular ligament has poor blood supply?

ACL

If the ACL is slack, what happens to the knee?

the knee is flexed

If the ACL is taut, what happens to the knee?

knee is extended

What intra-articular ligament is strong?

PCL

The PCL tightens during what action?

flexion

When the knee is flexed, the PCL causes it to be:

weight bearing

What ligament is a major stabilizing force for the femur, like when walking down a steep hill?

PCL

What is the menisci?

crescents of the fibrocartilage (external margins attach to fibrous capsule)

What are the functions the menisci?

deepen articular surfaces of tibia

shock absorption

The coronary ligaments span from the:

menisci to the tibial condyles

the transverse ligament of the knee spans:

medial to lateral meniscus

What is the medial menisci?

C-shaped fibrocartilage, firmly anchored to the tibia

What is the lateral menisci?

small and circular

The medial collateral ligament attached to which menisci?

medial menisci

The popliteus tendon separates the lateral menisci from what structure?

lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

Flexion of the knee is primarily done by the:

Hamstrings (posterior thigh)

What limits flexion of the knee?

Contact between calf and thigh

Medial knee rotation is checked by what structure?

cruciate ligaments

Lateral knee rotation is checked by what structure?

collateral ligaments

the popliteus, semimembranosus and semitendinosus rotates the knee:

medially

The biceps femoris rotates the knee:

laterally

Extension of the knee is mainly done by the:

Quadriceps group

Extension of the knee is limited by what structures?

Cruciate

Collateral ligaments

What are the two bursae of the knee?

Suprapatellar

Infrapatellars

What are the two types of the bursae of the knee joint?

Subcutaneous

Deep