KIN 480- Lecture 9: The Knee Joint

Flashcards covering key concepts and terms related to the knee joint from the manual of structural kinesiology.

Knee Joint

Largest joint in the body, primarily a hinge joint but complex in structure.

Femoral Condyles

Enlarged ends of the femur that articulate with the enlarged tibial condyles.

Tibia

Medial bone of the lower leg that bears most of the weight.

Fibula

Lateral bone of the lower leg that serves as an attachment for knee joint structures but does not articulate with the femur or patella.

Patella

A sesamoid bone imbedded in the quadriceps and patellar tendon that acts like a pulley to improve mechanical advantage during knee extension.

Menisci

Crescent-shaped cartilages attached to the tibia that cushion and stabilize the knee joint.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

A key ligament in the knee that maintains anterior stability; common site for injury.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)

A ligament in the knee that maintains posterior stability, less commonly injured than the ACL.

Tibial Collateral Ligament (MCL)

Ligament that maintains medial stability of the knee by resisting valgus forces.

Q Angle

The angle formed by the line of pull of the quadriceps and the patellar tendon, normally about 15 degrees for males and 20 degrees for females.

Bursae

Fluid-filled sacs in and around the knee that absorb shock and prevent friction.

Knee Flexion

Bending or decreasing the angle between the femur and leg, characterized by movement of the heel towards the buttocks.

Knee Extension

Straightening or increasing the angle between the femur and lower leg.

Quadriceps Muscles

Muscle group responsible for extending the knee, located in the anterior compartment of the thigh.

Hamstring Muscles

Group of muscles primarily responsible for knee flexion, located in the posterior compartment of the thigh.

Agonist Muscles

Muscles that are the primary movers in an action, changing based on joint angles.

Dynamic Stability

Stability of the knee provided by the contractions of muscles like the quadriceps and hamstrings.