Knee and Leg Anatomy Review

Flashcards focusing on vocabulary and anatomical structures related to knee and leg anatomy.

ACL

Anterior Cruciate Ligament, which prevents anterior displacement of the tibia on the femur.

MCL

Medial Collateral Ligament, which extends from the medial epicondyle of the femur to the medial condyle of the tibia.

LCL

Lateral Collateral Ligament, which connects the lateral epicondyle of the femur to the head of the fibula.

PCL

Posterior Cruciate Ligament, which prevents posterior displacement of the tibia on the femur.

Meniscus

Crescent-shaped fibrocartilaginous plates on the articular surface of the tibia.

Terrible Triad Injury

An injury involving tears of the ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus.

Dorsiflexion

The action of raising the foot upward at the ankle.

Plantarflexion

The action of pointing the foot downward at the ankle.

Eversion

The movement of the foot away from the midline.

Popliteal Fossa

An area at the back of the knee through which various vessels and nerves run.

Anterior compartment of the leg

Responsible for dorsiflexion of the foot and extension of the toes.

Posterior compartment of the leg

Responsible for plantarflexion and toe flexion.

Tom Dick Harry

Mnemonic for structures in the posterior compartment: Tibialis posterior, Flexor Digitorum Longus, Flexor Hallucis Longus.

Fibular artery

Supplies blood to the lateral leg.

Superficial Fibular Nerve

Innervates the lateral compartment of the leg.

Tendocalcaneus

Fusion of the tendons of the gastrocnemius and soleus.

Deep Fibular Nerve

Innervates muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg.

Common Fibular Nerve

Divides into deep and superficial fibular nerves.