Question

describe which structures strengthened the knee joint a.) anteriorly b.) laterally c.) posteriorly and d.) internally.

Answer 1

The anterior cruciate ligament strengthens the anterior joints and the posterior cruciate ligament strengthens the posterior knee joints. Extensor retinaculum dynamically supports the anterio-medial or anterio-lateral knee parts. The patella also provides stability to the antero-posterior parts of the knee and prevents the femur to slip ahead. Patella is the small triangle shaped bone situated at the front part of the knee and it consists the thickest cartilage layer.

Collateral ligaments also provide stability to the knee joints, like tibial and medial collateral ligaments. The knee has four types of collateral ligaments:

1) Anterior cruciate ligament

2) Posterior cruciate ligament

3) Medial collateral ligament

4) Lateral collateral ligament.

The crucial ligaments support the knee by preventing femur movements onto or away from the tibia. The collateral ligaments prevent side to side movement of the femur. The ligaments mainly provide lateral stability.

Tendons are connecting points between bones and muscles. They strengthen the joints internally. The menisci also strengthen the knee internally by guiding in inward or the outward stress of the legs. They act as shock observers and there are two types of menisci:

(1) Lateral: situated at the outer side of knees

(2) Medial: this bigger structure sound on the inner side of the knees.

Muscles such as quadriceps and hamstrings also strengthens the knee joints. For the internal stabilization, joint capsules are very important. They cover the joint an nourishes it internally. The fluid-filled sacs or bursa also strengthens the joint by reducing friction with the tissues and by preventing pain or inflammation.