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Knee Joint Research Paper

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The Knee Joint (tibiofemoral joint) is a bicondylar synovial joint named a hinge joint, which permits flexion and extension with a slight degree of medial and lateral rotation. The joint is formed by the two articulations between the femur, tibia and patella. The joint consists of two articulations. The Tibiofemoral, which is, the medial and lateral condyles of the femur that articulate with the tibial condyles. The second being the Patellofemoral, which is, the anterior and distal section of the femur which articulates with the patella. The tibiofemoral joint is referred to as the weight-bearing joint of the knee. Whereas the patellofemoral joint allows for the tendon of the quadriceps femoris (the primary extensor of the knee) to be directly …show more content…

The knee has two collateral ligaments, which are strap-like ligaments, that stabilises the hinge motion of the knee to prevent excess medial and lateral movement. The Tibial (medial) collateral ligament originates on the medial side of the joint. It attaches to the medial side of the tibia to prevent forces applied to the lateral side of the knee from moving the knee medially. The Fibular (lateral) ligament is a thin and rounder ligament that attaches laterally to the epicondyle of the femur to the fibular head. The knee joint has two internal ligaments, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments which contribute to maintain the proper alignment of the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament attaches to the anterior intercondylar region of the tibia where it mergers with the medial meniscus. Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), located behind the ACL, which extends obliquely from the surface of the medial condyle of the femur to the posterior intercondylar space of the tibia. The PCL prevents the posterior dislocation of the tibia onto the femur. The medial and lateral menisci are fibrocartilage structures in the knee that, protect and cushion the joint surface and bone ends and increases stability of the joint. They are C shaped in appearance and attach at both ends of the intercondylar

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