Thigh and Knee Region Flashcards

Flashcards about the thigh and knee region, covering anatomy, alignment, joints, ligaments, muscles, neurovasculature, and related concepts.

Mechanical Axis (Lower Limb)

A method for measuring frontal plane alignment using lines from the center of the femoral head to the intercondylar notch and from the proximal tibia to the tibial plafond/ankle joint.

Anatomical Axis (Lower Limb)

A method for measuring frontal plane alignment using lines through the shaft of the femur and tibia.

HKA Angle

The medial angle formed by the intersection of the femoral mechanical axis (FM) with the tibial mechanical axis (TM); averages slightly less than 180 degrees.

Varus Knee

A condition where the mechanical knee center is lateral to the load-bearing axis (LBA), increasing load on the medial compartment (negative HKA).

Valgus Knee

A condition where the mechanical knee center is medial to the load-bearing axis (LBA), increasing load on the lateral compartment (positive HKA).

Tibiofemoral Joint

One of the three joints in the knee region, allowing primarily flexion-extension in the sagittal plane.

Patellofemoral Joint

One of the three joints in the knee region, involving the patella and its articulation with the femur.

Superior Tibiofibular Joint

One of the three joints in the knee region, separate from the main knee joint.

Fibrous Joint Capsule (Knee)

Reinforced by ligaments such as the oblique popliteal ligament (posteriorly) and expansions from the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis (anteriorly).

Screw-Home Mechanism

The process involving extension and medial rotation that provides stability in the anatomical position of the tibiofemoral joint.

Tibiofemoral Menisci

Structures that increase congruency and contact area between the femoral condyles and tibial plateau, decreasing stress and protecting articular cartilage.

Tibial Collateral Ligament (TCL)

A knee ligament that primarily resists valgus stress throughout flexion.

Fibular Collateral Ligament (FCL)

A knee ligament that primarily resists varus stress.

Anterolateral Ligament (ALL)

A knee ligament that resists tibial internal rotation and contributes to anterolateral stability.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

A knee ligament that resists anterior translation of the tibia on the femur and provides rotation stability.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)

A knee ligament that resists posterior translation of the tibia on the femur.

Quadriceps Femoris

A group of muscles in the anterior thigh, including rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis, responsible for knee extension.

Vastus Medialis Obliquus (VMO)

A part of the vastus medialis that attaches to the medial border of the patella, acting as a patellar stabilizer.

Vastus Medialis Longus (VML)

A part of the vastus medialis that attaches to the base of the patella via the quadriceps tendon, involved in superior tracking of the patella.

Pes Anserinus

The conjoined tendon of the sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus, inserting on the anteromedial proximal tibia.

Q-Angle

The angle between a line from the ASIS to the center of the patella and a line from the tibial tubercle to the center of the patella, approximately 15 degrees.

Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL)

A ligament that contributes to lateral patellofemoral joint positioning and stability.

Patellofemoral Joint Reaction Force (PFJRF)

The compression force against the femur, which increases with increasing knee flexion.

Patellofemoral Joint Stress

Calculated by dividing the PFJRF by the PF contact area; influenced by quadriceps force and knee flexion angle.

Femoral Artery

A major artery in the anterior thigh that becomes the popliteal artery after passing through the adductor hiatus.

Femoral Nerve

A nerve that branches into anterior cutaneous branches and motor branches supplying the quadriceps femoris and sartorius.

Sciatic Nerve

A nerve in the posterior thigh comprised of the tibial nerve and common fibular nerve.

Popliteal Fossa

The diamond-shaped space posterior to the knee, containing the popliteal artery and vein, tibial nerve, and common fibular nerve.