Knee Joint (Cross-section View)
Anatomy Terms
- Adductor Magnus Muscle
- Adductor Tubercle
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament
- Articular Cartilage (Femur)
- Articular Cartilage (Tibia)
- Femur
- Fibula
- Gastrocnemius Muscle (Medial Head)
- Gracilis Muscle
- Infrapatellar Fat Pad
- Interosseous Membrane of the Leg
- Joint Capsule of Knee
- Lateral Collateral (Fibular Collateral) Ligament
- Lateral Condyle of Femur
- Lateral Condyle of Tibia
- Lateral Epicondyle of Femur
- Lateral Meniscus
- Lateral Patellar Retinaculum
- Medial Collateral (Tibial Collateral) Ligament
- Medial Condyle of Femur
- Medial Condyle of Tibia
- Medial Epicondyle of Femur
- Medial Meniscus
- Medial Patellar Retinaculum
- Oblique Popliteal Ligament
- Patella
- Patellar Ligament
- Plantaris Muscle
- Popliteus Muscle
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament
- Posterior Ligament
- Posterior Meniscofemoral Ligament
- Quadriceps Femoris Tendon
- Semitendinosus Muscle
- Subcutaneous Infrapatellar Bursa
- Subcutaneous Prepatellar Bursa
- Subtendinous Infrapatellar Bursa
- Suprapatellar Bursa
- Suprapatellar Fat Body
- Tibia
- Tibial Tuberosity
- Transverse Ligament of Knee
- Vastus Medialis Muscle
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Full Knee Joint (Cross-section View) Description
[Continued from above] . . . each muscle group are fluid-filled sacs called bursa and the presence of fat bodies named for their location, which reduce friction and lend added protection to the joint capsule.
The patella is the technical name for the kneecap, the triangular-shaped bone at the front of the knee joint. The patellar ligament is the center of the common tendon, which continues from the patella (knee cap) to the tibia. It is a very strong, flat band, the fibers of which are continuous over the front of the patella with tendons that extend and pass down the sides of the patella into the extremity of the tibia along the sides of its rounded prominence. It is separated from the joint by a large padding of fat. A medial patellar retinaculum, or canal, in the patella allows muscle and tissue to pass through from the femur (thigh bone).
During normal activity such as walking or running, and even for support while standing, the knee will function superbly. It can tolerate moderate stress without significant injury. However, the knee lacks support to withstand many types of injury, especially rotational forces such as those seen in many athletic activities. Knee injuries, even though minor, may require surgery, and if they involve the cartilage, may have delayed healing time due to a lack of blood supply to the cartilage.