Patella, tibia, fibula

What is the largest sesamoid bone in the body

The patella

What is a sesamoid bone

A bone found within a tendon

Where is the patella found

Suspended in the main extensor tendon of the knee

Deep vs superficial surface of patella

Deep - forms part of the knee joint, is smooth, and lined with hyaline cartilage, and articulates with patellar surface of distal femur

Superficial - surface is rough, tendon inserts here

What does the tibia articulate with

Condyles of femur (superiorly), talus (inferiorly)

What does the fibula do

Muscle attachment, stability of ankle joint

What are the tibia and fibula connected by

Interosseous membrane

How many tibiofibular joints do we have

2 in each - proximal and distal

What is the tibia

Weight bearing bone - second largest bone in body

What are the articulations of the tibia

• Knee joint

• Proximal tibiofibular joint

• Distal tibiofibular joint

• Medial malleolus of ankle joint

What are the proximal bony landmarks of the tibia

• Medial and lateral condyles

• Medial and lateral tibial plateau

• Intercondylar eminence

What do the medial and lateral tibial plateau articulate with

Auricular surface articulates with femoral condyles in knee joint

What is Gerdy’s tubercle

The anterolateral tibial tubercle - attachment of iliotibial tract and fascia of lateral thigh

What else is found on lateral condyle of tibia

Fibular articular facet on lateral condyle

What is the intercondylar eminence made of + what does it do

• Medial and lateral intercondylar tubercles - fit into intercondylar fossa between femoral condyles

• Intercondylar areas (anterior + posterior)

• Act as attachment sites for menisci and knee ligaments

What are the 6 bony landmarks of the anterior tibia

• Shaft - triangular cross-section

• Surfaces: medial, lateral/interosseous, posterior

• Shin - anterior border and medial surface

• Tibial tuberosity - distal attachment for patellar ligament

• Interosseous border - attachment of interosseous membrane

• Fibular notch - fibrous attachment at distal tibiofibular joint

What are the 3 posterior bony landmarks of the tibia

• Soleal (popliteal) line

• Nutrient foramen

• Medial malleolus - extends inferior to shaft

What is the solar (popliteal) line

Diagonal ridge that runs inferomedially to the medial border - for soleus tendon

What is the nutrient foramen

Main artery supplying proximal end of bone and marrow

What do the lateral surface of medial malleolus and inferior shaft articulate with

Talus

What is the fibula and where is it relative to tibia

Slender non-weight bearing bone

The fibula is lateral to the tibia

How many muscle insertions/origins does the fibula have

• 1 muscle insertion

• 8 muscle origins

What articulations does the fibula participate in

• Proximal tibiofibular joint

• Distal tibiofibular joint

• Forms lateral malleolus of the ankle

What does the fibula NOT articulate with

Femur at knee joint

What are the proximal bony landmarks of the fibula

• Enlarged head superior to small neck

• Common fibular nerve wraps around neck

• Head has pointed apex and articulates with fibular facet on lateral tibial condyle

What are the distal bony landmarks of the fibula

• Enlarged fibula

• Lateral elongation to form lateral malleolus of ankle joint

What are the bony landmarks of the shaft of the fibula

• Twisted and marked by sites of muscle attachment

• Triangular cross section

• Borders: anterior, interosseous, posterior

• Surfaces: medial, posterior, lateral

What are the 7 palpable landmarks of distal femur, tibia, and fibula

• Tibial tuberosity

• Anteromedial surface of the tibia

• Tibial condyles

• Head of fibula

• Neck of fibula

• Medial malleolus

• Lateral malleolus