Wednesday, February 25, 2015
SOFT TISSUE Anatomy of the KNEE Joint
Along with bony structures, there are soft tissue structures that hold the knee together. On the sides of the joint are collateral ligaments. These ligaments are made to help the knee move from side to side, either laterally or medially. There are also two cruciate ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) starts at the anterior aspect of the tibia and runs to the posterior aspect of the femur. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) runs from the anterior aspect of the femur to the posterior portion of the tibia. Both of the cruciate ligaments run through the intercondylar fossa of the femur and prevent the knee from dislocating in the anterior/ posterior movement.
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The patella is strategically held in place with the help of one major ligament, the patellar ligament, and many minor ligaments. The patellar ligament runs across the anterior surface of the patella. Just below the patella and behind the patellar ligament is a fat pad. This fat pad protects the knee joint as a whole. The tibial tuberosity is a connection site for the patellar tendon. To aid in the movement of the knee, there are capsules and cartilage. These capsules are called bursas which are located both inferior (infrapatellar bursa) and superior (suprapatellar bursa). The bursa appears as a pouch containing a jell-like fluid. The function of the bursa is to decrease friction between two surfaces. The bursa is located at points where the muscles and tendons glide over bones. Without a bursa, movements would be painful. The cartilage that helps the joint glide smoothly between the femur and the tibia are known as the meniscus. The meniscus is a C-shaped fibrocartilage which is located at the peripheral aspect of the joint between both the condyles of the femur and on the tibial plateau. The majority of the meniscus has no blood supply. For that reason, when damaged, the meniscus is unable to undergo the normal healing process. The meniscus will also deteriorate as an individual ages, often developing degenerative tears. The menisci which are located both medial and lateral provide shock absorption which helps prevent impact injuries to the knee joint.
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