Hip and knee joints, ligaments

What is the acetabulum?

The socket of the hip joint that receives the head of the femur.

Where is the ligament of the head of the femur located?

Inside the hip joint, connecting the femoral head to the acetabular region.

What is the transverse acetabular ligament?

A ligament spanning the acetabular notch and completing the inferior margin of the acetabulum.

Where is the pubofemoral ligament?

On the anterior and inferior side of the hip joint.

Where is the iliofemoral ligament?

On the anterior side of the hip joint; it extends from the ilium to the femur.

Where is the ischiofemoral ligament?

On the posterior side of the hip joint, extending from the ischium toward the femur.

What is the quadriceps tendon?

The tendon connecting the quadriceps femoris muscles to the base of the patella.

What are the patellar retinaculae?

Medial and lateral fibrous expansions that help stabilize the patella.

Where do the patellar retinaculae extend?

Along the sides of the patella toward the tibia and surrounding structures.

What is the patellar ligament?

The ligament connecting the apex of the patella to the tibial tuberosity.

Where is the tibial collateral ligament (MCL)?

On the medial side of the knee.

What is the function of the tibial collateral ligament (MCL)?

Resists valgus stress, which tends to push the knee inward.

Where is the fibular collateral ligament (LCL)?

On the lateral side of the knee, extending toward the head of the fibula.

What is the function of the fibular collateral ligament (LCL)?

Resists varus stress, which tends to push the knee outward.

Where is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?

Inside the knee joint, crossing from the anterior intercondylar tibia to the medial surface of the lateral femoral condyle.

What is the function of the ACL?

Resists anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur and helps control rotation.

What does the anterior drawer test assess at the knee?

Primarily ACL integrity.

What is the transverse ligament of the knee?

A ligament connecting the anterior portions of the medial and lateral menisci.

Where are the medial and lateral menisci?

Between the femoral condyles and the tibial plateau.

What are the functions of the menisci?

Absorb shock, improve joint congruence, distribute load, increase contact area, and contribute to stability.

What is the oblique popliteal ligament?

A posterior knee ligament that reinforces the joint capsule and extends across the posterior knee from the semimembranosus tendon region.

What is the arcuate popliteal ligament?

A posterior knee ligament that arises near the fibular head and reinforces the posterolateral capsule.

Where is the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)?

Inside the knee; it runs from the posterior intercondylar tibia to the medial femoral condyle.

What is the function of the PCL?

Resists posterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur.

What type of joint is the talocrural (ankle) joint?

A synovial hinge joint.

Which bones form the talocrural joint?

The talus, distal tibia, medial malleolus, distal fibula, and lateral malleolus.

What are the main movements of the talocrural joint?

Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.

How do the malleoli help stabilize the ankle?

They grip the talus and limit excessive side-to-side movement.

What is the deltoid ligament?

The strong ligament complex on the medial side of the ankle.

How many major components are commonly described in the deltoid ligament?

Four: anterior tibiotalar, posterior tibiotalar, tibiocalcaneal, and tibionavicular.

Where is the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL)?

From the anterior lateral malleolus of the fibula to the talus.

What does the ATFL help resist?

Excessive anterior translation of the talus and inversion stress, particularly with the ankle plantar-flexed.

Where is the calcaneofibular ligament?

From the tip of the lateral malleolus to the calcaneus.

What does the calcaneofibular ligament help resist?

Excessive inversion of the ankle.

Where is the posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL)?

From the posterior lateral malleolus to the talus.

Where is the anterior tibiofibular ligament?

Across the anterior distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, connecting the tibia and fibula.

Where is the posterior tibiofibular ligament?

Across the posterior distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, connecting the tibia and fibula.

Where is the posterior tibiotalar ligament?

From the posterior medial malleolus to the talus; it is the most posterior component of the deltoid ligament.

Where is the tibiocalcaneal ligament?

From the medial malleolus to the calcaneus.

Where is the tibionavicular ligament?

From the medial malleolus to the navicular.

Where is the anterior tibiotalar ligament?

From the anterior medial malleolus to the talus; it is the most anterior component of the deltoid ligament.